Daniil Medvedev is disappointed by Novak Djokovic’s absence from this year’s US Open, as he believes the Serb would have been one of the main favorites for the title. Djokovic, a 21-time Grand Slam champion, withdrew from the US Open after being denied entry to the United States due to his unvaccinated status.
Djokovic now misses out on his second Grand Slam in 2022 as he too was denied participation in the Australian Open. Djokovic played two Grand Slams this season and went all the way at Wimbledon. “I would like him to play here.
We saw him at Wimbledon. He didn’t play many tournaments this year. He came there and won,” Medvedev said, via Eurosport. With the absence of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal has the opportunity to win his 23rd Grand Slam, a record, and lead the Serbian in two Grand Slams again.
“The rivalry against Rafa is really I feel like it’s heating up in a way. 22, 21, a joke number. It’s a shame he’s not here. It would be a great story, I think, for tennis,” Medvedev said. Djokovic was waiting until the last moment for the CDC to change its policy on him and allow him to enter the United States.
“It’s a US government rule. Completely understandable too,” Medvedev added. Meanwhile, Medvedev prepares to start his title defense at the US Open. After losing the 2019 US Open final to Nadal, Medvedev won his first Grand Slam after beating Djokovic in last year’s US Open final.
Nole Djokovic is located in Belgrade
Former coach of a host of great players such as Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick and Mary Pierce, and now simple director of his academy, Rick Macci, interviewed by the Mykhel site on the absence of Novak Djokovic from the US Open, was very disappointed and critical of his government.
“I don’t like it, it’s so bad for tennis. I’m not losing sleep over it, but he played last year and COVID was worse. He played the year before, and COVID was much worse. Now it’s in the rearview mirror, but he’s not vaccinated, they don’t let people into the country, it’s a joke.
It makes no sense, really none. It’s the government. I don’t think tennis has anything to do with it. It’s the government, you have to be vaccinated to come here, it’s unfortunate. This applies, in my opinion, not only to the best player in the world, but also to many other people who are not vaccinated, who may have been affected in their belongings, who have visited relatives or other.
It’s just that Djokovic, who I believe will go down as the greatest player to ever hold a racket, will be the focus if he’s allowed to play tournaments. It seems like if you don’t get vaccinated, who knows where it’s going to go.
I’m not in favor of it and I think they should have made a special exception, but if they’re doing it for him, they have to do it for everyone.”
