By Erik Gudris | @ATNTennis | Thursday, August 4, 2022
Novak Djokovic withdrew from Montreal due to Canada’s ongoing policy on not allowing unvaccinated international travelers.
Photo credit: Pete Staples/USTA/US Open Facebook
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic withdrew from the upcoming Masters 1000 ATP event in Montreal, Canada.
That was due to Canada’s ongoing official policy of not allowing international travelers who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 entry into the country.
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The 35-year-old Djokovic, whose withdrawal was announced a day before the official draw ceremony, continues to refuse to take the vaccine.
Canada’s policy requires international travelers to be fully vaccinated for at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Djokovic’s stance on not taking the Covid vaccine preventing him for defending his Australian Open title earlier this year in Melbourne, Australia.
Currently, Djokovic remains on the entry list for the US Open later this month. However, current U.S. policy also requires international travelers to be fully vaccinated before entering the country.
On social media, Djokovic recently expressed his hope that an alternative solution will be found to allow him to compete in New York.
“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," Djokovic posted. "Fingers crossed.”
Unless President Joe Biden grants an executive order allowing the Serbian national Djokovic the opportunity to play at the US Open, the likelihood is that the three-time US Open winner will be watching the final major of 2022 on television.
Djokovic lost out to Daniil Medvedev in last year’s US Open final during his bid to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win a calendar-year Grand Slam.
Tennis Canada, the organizing body of the ATP Montreal event, also announced wildcards for former World No.1 Andy Murray, Belgium’s David Goffin, and Canadians Vasek Pospisil and Alexis Galarneau.