Novak Djokovic has been forced to skip two Grand Slam tournaments in 2022: the Australian Open and the US Open. The Serbian champion decided not to get vaccinated and, after the case broke out in Australia, he announced his resignation before the men’s draw for the last Major of the year.
The rules for entry into the United States have not changed, and people from other countries will still have to prove that they have completed their vaccination course in order to enter. Considering his past achievements on concrete, Djokovic would have entered the Australian Open and US Open as the favourite, and the two Majors he hasn’t played this year could make the difference in the fight for Slam supremacy between the two.
Big 3. Mats Wilander gave his harsh take on the GOAT title race to Eurosport’s microphones. “With everything that is going on with Novak, I think the fight of who is the best between him, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer is becoming irrelevant.
Since Nole can’t play…”, explained the former Swedish champion. “I think in the future we will only talk about the greatness of the big three and how special it was to see them play at the same time. We will all remember this one thing.”
Nadal, seeded number two, will then have a great opportunity to stretch his lead over Djokovic and reach 23 Slams. The Majorcan is having one of his best seasons despite various injuries and is yet to has lost a match at Slam level.
After winning the Australian Open and Roland Garros, Nadal withdrew before the semifinal against Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon due to an abdominal problem. At least on paper, Nadal’s opponent will be Daniil Medvedev. The Russian prevented Djokovic from completing the Grand Slam last year at Flushing Meadows.
Medvedev is not expressing the best tennis of his and he has already lost twice against Nadal on cement in 2022. Photo Credit: ATP Tour.
Djokovic had to miss two Grand Slams
The conclusion to Novak Djokovic’s US Open saga has been termed ’embarrassing’ and ‘ridiculous’ by leading Australian journalist and sports presenter Ben Fordham.
According to him, the Serbian player just wanted to play tennis and his entry ban into the US defied logic. “It is embarrassing and it defies logic and science,” Fordham said. “He is one of the fittest people on the planet.
He doesn’t drink, he travels with his own personal doctor and nutritionist. He has recovered from having COVID-19 already.”
