Novak Djokovic confirmed to be able to return to the US Open

May 2, 2023

ATP Tennis Players, Novak Djokovic, Tennis News, US Open Tennis

Novak Djokovic confirmed to be able to return to the US Open

Novak Djokovic will be able to return to the US Open for the first time since 2021, after the White House confirmed that the US were bringing an end to Covid-19 ‘vaccine requirements’.

Djokovic missed the Grand Slam tournament in New York last year, where he is a three-time champion, due to his vaccination status and had to miss the tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami this year despite receiving support from the US Open itself.

Novak Djokovic is one the greatest champions our sport has ever seen. The USTA and US Open are hopeful that Novak is successful in his petition to enter the country, and that the fans will be able to see him back in action at Indian Wells and Miami.
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) March 3, 2023

However, the Serb will no longer be missing tournaments due to the Covid-19 vaccine as the US were the last country on the ATP tour to have restrictions.

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.”

The US Open doesn’t begin until the 28th August, however Djokovic appears to be in a battle to get fit before the second major of the year.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion withdrew from the Madrid Open that is currently taking place, after he had struggled in both Monte Carlo and Banja Luka with an elbow injury that he had surgery on in 2018.

Djokovic is still scheduled to play in Rome next week where he is the defending champion, before heading to Paris for Roland Garros that begins on the 28th May.