Djokovic Will Miss US Open, Unable to Travel to New York Without COVID-19 Vaccine

Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a forehand against Daniil Medvedev of Russia (not pictured) in the men's singles final on day fourteen of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, on Sept. 12, 2021. Danielle Parhizkaran/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters

Former world number one Novak Djokovic will miss the U.S. Open after he said on Aug. 25 that he will not be able to travel to New York for the tournament because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Current rules require foreign travelers to show proof of full vaccination to board flights to and enter the United States.

“Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open,” Djokovic wrote on Twitter. “Good luck to my fellow players! I'll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again.”

The Serbian previously said he was prepared to miss Grand Slam tournaments that require participating players to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Djokovic was on the entry list for the Aug. 29–Sept. 11 tournament in New York.

The 35-year-old was also unable to defend his Australian Open crown earlier this year after being deported from the country over his vaccination status.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) described Djokovic’s absence as “unfortunate” but looked forward to having him back at Flushing Meadows next year.

“Novak is a great champion and it is very unfortunate that he will be unable to compete at the 2022 U.S. Open, as he is unable to enter the country due to the federal government’s vaccination policy for non-U.S.citizens,” said U.S. Open tournament director Stacey Allaster in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming Novak back at the 2023 U.S. Open.”

Serbia's Novak Djokovic speaks during press conference after attending his welcoming ceremony celebration at the Belgrade City Hall in Belgrade, Serbia, on July 11, 2022. Pedja Milosavljevic/AFP via Getty Images

Many had hoped to see Djokovic on the Flushing Meadows hard courts where he has hoisted the trophy three-times and reached the final on six other occasions.

The hashtag #LetNovakPlay has been circulating on social media as Djokovic’s fans voiced their support for a player who moved to within one of Spaniard Rafa Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles after his Wimbledon triumph last month.

Fans had also been circulating an online petition in hopes of gaining Djokovic entry into the United States while four-times U.S. Open winner John McEnroe had said it would be “a joke” if the Serb was unable to compete due to his COVID-19 vaccination status.

Former U.S. tennis player John McEnroe (L) interviews Serbia's Novak Djokovic after his victory against Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff in their men's singles match on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Jan. 20, 2020. William West/AFP via Getty Images