Novak Djokovic to compete at US Open as White House announces end of Covid-19 vaccine mandate
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Updated 02/05/2023 at 09:48 GMT
Novak Djokovic will be able to compete at the 2023 US Open after the White House announced an end to mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations for all visitors. The world No. 1 was unable to compete at Flushing Meadows last year due to his vaccine status and also missed Indian Wells and the Miami Open last month for the same reason. Djokovic will bid for a record 23rd Grand Slam singles title this year.
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Novak Djokovic will be able to play at the 2023 US Open after the United States lifted its rule about mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations.
The world No. 1 was unable to compete at Indian Wells or the Miami Open last month due to his vaccination status.
But concerns that he could miss the final Grand Slam of the year in August at Flushing Meadows for a second year in a row were allayed when the US Government announced that visitors won’t require a Covid vaccination from May 12.
A White House statement said: "Today, we are announcing that the Administration will end the Covid-19 vaccine requirements for Federal employees, Federal contractors, and international air travellers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the Covid-19 public health emergency ends.”
Djokovic was forced to miss last year’s tournament, as well as the Australian Open, due to his vaccination status.
He faced more disruption this season when he was forced to skip the ‘sunshine swing’ in Indian Wells and Miami.
The Serbian returned to the Australian Open in January, winning his 22nd Grand Slam title to draw level with Rafael Nadal in holding the joint record.
Djokovic also won in Adelaide at the start of the year but has struggled for form and fitness recently, going out to Lorenzo Musetti in the last 16 in Monte Carlo before losing to Dusan Lajovic in the Banja Luka quarter-finals.
The 35-year-old pulled out of the Madrid Open due to injury but will hope to compete at Roland Garros, the second Grand Slam of the season, later this month.
Although Djokovic’s issue wasn’t specified, he previously spoke about an elbow issue ahead of Banja Luka.
“My elbow is not in an ideal shape but good enough to be ready for the first match," he said.
Roland Garros will run from May 28 to June 11.
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