Daniil Medvedev calls Novak Djokovic’s absence from the US Open a ‘pity’ as he inches closer to Rafael Nadal’s all-time grand slam record

Daniil Medvedev calls Novak Djokovic’s absence from the US Open a ‘pity’ as he inches closer to Rafael Nadal’s all-time grand slam record

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Daniil Medvedev

Serbian maestro Novak Djokovic has had a very weird 2022 season so far. He was deported from Australia at the start of the season because he wasn’t vaccinated and hence wasn’t allowed to defend his Australian Open title. As a result, he had a late start to the season and couldn’t get in form right away. He was forced to miss the Golden swing due to his vaccination status again and had a slow start to the clay season.

He won the Rome Masters but lost in the quarterfinal of the French Open to Rafael Nadal. He then bounced back to win his 7th Wimbledon and 21st major title. He is now just one slam away from equalling Nadal’s tally of 22 major titles. But unfortunately for him, he won’t be able to match it this year at the US Open since the US laws allow only unvaccinated foreign individuals to enter the country. Djokovic, being unvaccinated, isn’t permitted to enter the USA and hence will miss the US Open.

World No.1 Daniil Medvedev spoke about Djokovic’s situation in the pre-tournament press conference at the US open. Medvedev wished that Djokovic could’ve played in New York since everybody saw what he could do in Wimbledon. He then bought up his rivalry with Nadal and said that their rivalry is heating up and hence he should’ve been here competing with the Spaniard directly.

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“I mean, I wish he would play here. We saw it in Wimbledon. He didn’t play many tournaments this year. He came there, he won,” Medvedev said. “He’s such a champion. The rivalry against Rafa is really I feel like heating up in a way. 22, 21, a joke of a number.”

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‘It’s a pity he’s not here’: Daniil Medvedev on Novak Djokovic

Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic
Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic

Medvedev then called Djokovic’s absence a ‘pity’ as it would’ve been a great story for tennis if he’d played. But he also understands the American government’s situation for not allowing Djokovic to enter the country due to the rules.

“It’s a pity he’s not here. It would be a great story I think for tennis. Not only tennis-wise, but it’s not us tennis players, it’s American government rule. Completely understandable also,” he added.

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