“The government was no longer considering,” USTA reveals they had no hand in Novak Djokovic’s expulsion from the 2022 US Open
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Novak Djokovic
Former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will be missing his second Grand Slam of the season due to his firm stance on not taking the vaccine against Covid-19. Having been insulted at the 2022 Australian Open, the situation in New York for the 2022 US Open was slightly better in terms of clarity and instructions to the player but nevertheless controversial as unvaccinated American players are allowed to compete while Djokovic isn’t allowed to enter the country.
Novak had to forcefully withdraw from the Grand Slam hours before the draw ceremony took place and had to give up yet another chance to challenge for the title. With 3 US Open titles and 21 career majors to his name, Djokovic was looking for his 22nd major that would have got him on level with arch-rival Rafael Nadal for an equal number of US Open and Grand Slam titles.
Requests were made to allow Novak Djokovic under the ‘National Interest Exemption’ policy
With the US government having a policy of handing out exemptions provided the person is of national interest, many petitions were raised to give Djokovic one such exemption given he’s one of the greatest players ever to pick up the tennis racket and his participation would surely be of USA’s national interest. However, Novak did not receive any such exemption and the USTA came under fire for not supporting one of their own, which the organisation has now cleared up.
“The USTA was in regular contact with several departments within the United States Federal Government including the Department of Homeland Security, Customs & Border Control and the State Department. In all instances, we were informed that the US Government was no longer considering third-party applications for National Interest Exemptions.
“Only NIE’s submitted by the individual seeking the NIE would be reviewed by the appropriate department or authorities regarding entrance of unvaccinated non-U.S. citizens. This policy, instituted in October 2021, differed from the policy that was in effect during the 2020 and 2021 US Opens,” read the email sent by USTA to Tennis Majors explaining why they couldn’t help get Djokovic the exemption.
While the biggest loss will remain for Djokovic, the Serbian will have to watch yet another major from his home and could possibly see Nadal going ahead in the race once again as he had gone after winning the 2022 French Open. Djokovic’s title in Wimbledon this year however reduced the gap to 1 major but if Rafa claims the win in New York, he will again have a 2-major cushion at his hand.
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Sarthak Shitole
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