US Open: New hope for Novak Djokovic?
The chances are still rather small - but due to changes in the legal situation in the USA, Novak Djokovic could still take part in the US Open 2022.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Aug 14, 2022, 11:20 am
Angry tongues could say: A 1000 final between Hubert Hurkacz and Pablo Carreno Busta, there would have been no such thing under a Novak Djokovic! Indeed, the absence of the reigning Wimbledon champions has opened up new opportunities for big titles for Tier 1a players not only this week in Montreal, but also in Indian Wells and Miami before. But: You also have to use them first, like Taylor Fritz and Carlos Alcaraz and now Hurkacz or Carreno Busta.
The situation looks similar next week in Cincinnati, Djokovic will also be missing there. After all, Rafael Nadal is returning, who was already there in Indian Wells. There affected by a broken rib but lost the final against Fritz.
Djokovic automatically favorite if participating
Now Novak Djokovic is not suspending the North American tournaments because he wants to spend more time with his family. But because, as an unvaccinated player, he is currently not allowed to enter Canada or the USA. Djokovic will not change anything about his vaccination status. But maybe the authorities will meet the 21-time Grand Slam champion at the last second.
Because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the USA have announced that they will change the rules for entry and quarantine in the coming days. However, these changes initially only affect citizens of the USA. Further simplifications are likely to follow. The question, however, is whether these will come fast enough for Djokovic to participate in the US Open. Because these start with the games of the main draw on August 29, 2022.
Should Novak Djokovic actually get the curve into the field, he would probably automatically become the big favorite to win the tournament. Because defending champion Daniil Medvedev is far from his form last year. And he last showed at Wimbledon that Djokovic can celebrate great successes even without match practice.