US Open Organizers drop key Djokovic clue

US Open organizers gave the latest hint that Novak Djokovic will miss this year’s tournament after unveiling a poster showing the absent Serbian star.

Djokovic has not officially retired but will almost certainly miss the tournament due to an American entry ban on non-citizens who are not vaccinated against Covid-19.

The Batman-style poster shared by the US Open’s social media accounts – featuring the slogan ‘It’s time. Tennis stars ready to answer call at US Open – featuring the men’s title holder, Daniil Medvedev of Russia, as well as fellow female player Emma Raducanu of Great Britain.

There was also room for four-time tournament champion Rafael Nadal and women’s great Serena Williams, who has announced she will be stepping down after the hard-court showpiece that begins August 29.

WTA world number one Iga Swiatek was in attendance, as was rising men’s ace Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Australia’s Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios. Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka completed the line-up.

The three-time New York king Djokovic was conspicuous by his absence – which the fans did not miss.

“There is no Djokovic on the poster. I think he won’t be able to play. It’s a shame for him and the interests of the tournament…” complained one fan.

“Where’s Novak?! let him play!” demanded another.

“No Novak in this picture… bad news.” replied a tennis enthusiast.

An even more blunt answer was: “You should be ashamed and ashamed if you don’t let Novak Djokovic play.”

There is no vaccination mandate for players at the US Open – meaning players like unvaccinated American player Tennys Sandgren could perform – but government regulations prevent foreigners from entering the country if they have not been vaccinated.

American tennis icon John McEnroe was among those who criticized the US government and called out the situation “BS”while members of the Serbian community in the country have called directly on President Joe Biden to intervene.

But officials at Flushing Meadows have said they will respect government rules, and this week all visitors have been reminded of that “If you are traveling from abroad to attend the US Open, you must be fully vaccinated with the primary series of an accepted Covid vaccine in order to travel to the United States (this applies to non-US citizens and/or non -US immigrants). ”

Djokovic, 35, had harbored hopes of a late change in government policy after the US CDC eased some of its Covid guidelines earlier this month – although border restrictions were not among them.

The 21-time Grand Slam champion has continued his full preparations in the hope that he could still be included, although it seems inevitable that his non-participation will be imminent.

The US Open will be the second Grand Slam of the year Djokovic missed after being expelled from Australia in January for his vaccination status.

The star reiterated after winning Wimbledon in July that he was not ready to get vaccinated, even if it meant missing out on more titles.

On Monday it was confirmed that Alexander Zverev, number two in the men’s world, would also miss the US Open after failing to recover from his ankle injury sustained in the French Open semifinals earlier this year.