WIMBLEDON, England — Novak Djokovic is aware of that, as issues stand now, Wimbledon can be his final Grand Slam match of 2022, as a result of he will be unable to play within the U.S. Open — he has not acquired any COVID-19 photographs and may’t enter the US as an unvaccinated foreigner.
“That,” the 35-year-old from Serbia mentioned Saturday on the All England Membership, “is an additional motivation to do properly right here.”
Djokovic started this season tied with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at 20 main championships, then the file for a person. However Djokovic’s choice to not get vaccinated led to his deportation from Australia earlier than the Australian Open in January — and Nadal wound up profitable that match to get his twenty first.
Nadal then beat Djokovic within the quarterfinals on the French Open en route to earning his 22nd Slam title this month.
When Wimbledon begins on Monday, Djokovic can have the dignity of opening play at Centre Courtroom because the defending champion. He’s seeded No. 1 and can be bidding for a fourth consecutive title on the All England Membership and seventh general.
“Hopefully I can have an excellent match, as I’ve performed within the final three editions. Then I’ll simply have to attend and see. I might like to go to States. However as of right now, that’s not doable,” mentioned Djokovic, who has come down with COVID-19 twice. “There’s not a lot I can do anymore. I imply, it’s actually as much as the U.S. authorities to decide whether or not or not they permit unvaccinated individuals to enter the nation.”
A reporter famous that Djokovic does nonetheless have time to get vaccinated earlier than play begins at Flushing Meadows on Aug. 29, after which requested him whether or not “you’ve fully closed your thoughts to that as an choice.”
Djokovic replied with one phrase: “Sure.”
