This is anything but a surprise.
Novak Djokovic, whose refusal to be vaccinated against Covid prevents him from entering Canada, has withdrawn from the Masters 1000 in Montreal which begins on Monday, the organizers announced on Thursday, three weeks before the US Open that he could also miss for the same reason.
With the United States also requiring people to present proof of vaccination to enter the country, the Serb, who has just won his 21st Grand Slam at Wimbledon, should not be able to take part in the 4th Major of the season in New York (August 29-September 11).
However, he is on the entry list for the US Open.
"In accordance with Grand Slam rules, all eligible players are automatically entered into the men's and women's entry list based on ranking 42 days before the first Monday of the tournament," the association said on July 20. of American tennis in a press release.
“The US Open does not have a rule regarding the vaccine for players but will respect the position of the US government regarding the entry into the United States of people who are not Americans and who are not vaccinated, ”says the same source.
In January 2022, “Djoko” was expelled from Australia where he was to participate in the Australian Open after a legal battle over his vaccination status.
Montreal Masters manager Eugène Lepierre said earlier this month that he did not expect Djokovic to play, given his unvaccinated status.
“Either the Canadian government will change the rules regarding vaccination, or they (Djokovic) will roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated.
But I don't think any of those scenarios are realistic,” he explained.