Novak Djokovic will miss the US Open as vaccination rules deal him another Grand Slam blow

Novak Djokovic will miss another Grand Slam, with the US barring him months after he was deported from Australia.

Novak Djokovic will miss his second Grand Slam of the year because of his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19, ending months of speculation about whether he could sidestep America’s tough travel restrictions.

Four days out from the start of the US Open in New York, Djokovic confirmed on social media that “sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time”.

“Good luck to my fellow players! I’ll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again,” he said.

In January, Djokovic was sensationally detained in Australia and then deported, having tried to dodge vaccination requirements for foreigners by using a medical exemption granted because he had recently tested positive to Covid-19.

He later lost in the French Open quarterfinals to Rafael Nadal and then defeated Australian Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon to claim his 21st Grand Slam title.

'Novak Djokovic kisses his trophy after defeating Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon in July. Picture: AFP

But the 35-year-old will now miss another chance to catch Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slams.

US Open tournament director Stacey Allaster said Djokovic was a “great champion” and she looked forward to “welcoming Novak back at the 2023 US Open”.

“It is very unfortunate that he will be unable to compete at the 2022 US Open,” she said.

Djokovic had been holding out hope that the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention would back down on strict requirements for foreign nationals to be fully vaccinated before flying to the US.

Four-time US Open champion John McEnroe earlier said it was “a joke” that Djokovic was likely to be barred from the event.

“I would have had the vaccine and gone and played, but he’s got very strong beliefs and you have to respect that,” he said.

Novak Djokovic leaves the Park hotel in Melbourne after his visa was cancelled by the Australian government over refusing a Covid vaccine. Picture: Getty Images

“At this point in the pandemic, we’re two and a half years in, I think people in all parts of the world know more about it, and the idea that he can’t travel here to play, to me is a joke.”

Speaking after he was booted out of Australia, Djokovic said missing tournaments was “the price that I’m willing to pay” to maintain his anti-vaccination stance.

But he said he was “really hurt” by the saga that unfolded after he arrived in Australia.

The Australian government has since dumped its vaccination requirements for overseas arrivals.

But new Immigration Minister Andrew Giles is yet to reveal whether he will let Djokovic return for next summer’s Australian Open.

The cancellation of Djokovic’s visa in January meant he would not be able to return for three years unless the minister intervened on the basis of “compelling circumstances that affect the interests of Australia”.

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