WATCH: “Preparing as if I will be allowed to compete” Still hopeful to play the US Open, Novak Djokovic trains hard for the North-American Swing
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Novak Djokovic
Despite having a record-breaking 2021 season where he won 3 major titles, things haven’t been ideal for Novak Djokovic this year. He couldn’t defend his Australian Open title to start the year and was deported from Australia because of his vaccination status. He was then denied entry into the USA and hence wasn’t able to compete in the Golden swing.
As a result of this, he started his season very late and could never get his engine running. He couldn’t defend his French Open title either as he lost to Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals. Till Wimbledon, he had won only one title throughout the season- the Rome Masters. But he bounced back to win his 7th Wimbledon title and a 21st major title at the All England Club.
He is still one major shy of Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 major titles but as things stand, he won’t be able to win it this year as he is currently not allowed to enter the USA due to his vaccination status and hence won’t be able to compete in the US Open. Not only the US Open, but he will also most likely miss the entire North-American hard court swing.
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“I await to hear if there is any room for me to travel to US”: Novak Djokovic
Djokovic had expressed his desire to play in the USA after Wimbledon but also made it clear that he won’t get vaccinated nor will he try to force his way into the country by exploring any loopholes. Today, he took to social media to share a video of himself sweating it out on the hard courts of Serbia hoping that he would be allowed to enter the USA.
There has been a lot of support for Djokovic in the last few weeks and he addressed it by thanking his fans. “I just wanted to take a moment and say to all of you how grateful I am to see so many messages of support and love from all around the world these days.?? I wasn’t expecting it, and that’s why it feels so mind-blowing. Just wanted to say THANK YOU. ??❤️” Djokovic wrote.
He added that he is preparing as if he’ll be allowed to compete in the States and currently, he is awaiting a final decision about the vaccine mandate from the US government.
“It feels special that people connect with my tennis career in such a loving and supportive way and wish for me to continue to compete. I am preparing as if I will be allowed to compete, while I await to hear if there is any room for me to travel to US. Fingers crossed!” he said.
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Lakshya Chopra
(2650 Articles Published)