Novak Djokovic, the reigning Australian and French Open winner, recently lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s singles Wimbledon final. In spite of losing the opportunity, Djokovic remains inspired to achieve what no player, male or female, has managed in Open Era – a 24th Major. However, it is uncertain if that will happen at US Open.
The 36-year-old Serbian has not been to New York in two years now. He missed the first, in 2021 owing to Covid vaccination rule, the same that had barred him from defending his Australian Open crown that January.
The U.S. government kept their rules for Covid restrictions intact for international travelers, thereby disallowing Djokovic from entry into the nation for US Open in 2022 as well. In fact, he had missed six Masters 1000 (such as Indian Wells and Miami) as well across the two years in North America.
However, from May 11 onwards, the U.S government has eased their restrictions on the vaccine mandate which will hence allow Djokovic to enter the country and be part of the 2023 US Open which will begin from August 28 onwards at the Flushing Meadows, hindustantimes.com reports.
Three of Djokovic’s 23 Grand Slams came at the US Open in 2011, 2015, and the last of it in 2018, but lost out to Medvedev in 2021. Overall, he owns an 81-13 record in New York with 12 semi-final appearances and eight in the final.
Having lost out to Daniil Medvedev in the 2021 US Open final, the 23-time Grand Slam winner is as eager as ever to go one better this time around.
“I am looking forward to coming back to New York. Throughout my career, I’ve played my best on hard courts, although grass has become my favourite surface too in the last five-six years.
“But overall, considering tournaments where I’ve been most successful – it’s hard courts.
“I’ve played a lot of finals in New York (record 3-5 in those finals). I lost the last one to Medvedev, but I received a lot of love from the crowd, which wasn’t the case in the past.
“I left New York with that image in my head, so I am really looking forward to going back,” Djokovic remarked.
According to talksport.com, Novak Djokovic revealed his exciting plans to go back to New York for the 2023 US Open, despite being banned from entering the country in 2022.
“I keep on going with the same resolution, with a big desire and fresh goals – the US Open and Davis Cup are the most important competitions for me until the end of this year.
“I hope to stay healthy, motivated, ready, strong – so that I can fight for another Grand Slam title,” Djokovic told Serbian outlet Sport Klub.
Djokovic will take part in the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, but will miss the Rogers Cup in Toronto, before participating at the US Open in late August.
“Yes, that’s the plan for now – I will play in Cincinnati as preparation for New York,” he added.
