Desk Report
Publish: 21 Jul 2022, 03:14 pm
Novak Djokovic || Photo: Collected
Novak
Djokovic was included on the entry list for the US Open on Wednesday but will
not be able to compete due to his refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Eligible
players are automatically entered into the main draw but that does little to
help Djokovic, who retained his Wimbledon crown last month and is one back of
Rafa Nadal's record of 22 Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic
will not be able to participate in the year's final Grand Slam due to current
rules under which travellers seeking to enter the United States have to be
fully vaccinated and provide proof before boarding flights.
"The
US Open does not have a vaccination mandate in place for players, but it will
respect the US government's position regarding travel into the country for
unvaccinated non-US citizens," the United States Tennis Association (USTA)
said in a news release.
Almost
12,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the USTA to work with
the country's government to allow Djokovic to compete in the US Open despite
his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Djokovic
won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles in 2021 but was
unable to defend his Melbourne Park crown this year after being deported from
Australia over his vaccination status in January.
He
later said he was prepared to miss Grand Slam tournaments rather than take the
COVID-19 vaccine.
Subscribe Shampratik Deshkal Youtube Channel
© 2024 Shampratik Deshkal All Rights Reserved. Design & Developed By Root Soft Bangladesh