Date set for Novak's US return as mandate scrapped

Novak Djokovic is finally free to play in the United States, after the White House confirmed the requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will end on May 11.

The world No.1 was forced to miss the 2022 US Open, as well as a string of Masters 1000 events, over his refusal to be vaccinated.

In a statement, Joe Biden has confirmed the requirement for international travellers to be vaccinated will no longer apply.

READ MORE: Eddie reveals first thing new CEO has to change

READ MORE: 'Blood everywhere': NRL slugger sees light side of dust-up

READ MORE: 'Hollow' Bennett fumes as NRL admits costly error

"We are announcing that the administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for federal employees, federal contractors, and international air travellers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends," it said.

Novak Djokovic has won the ATP Finals title for the first time in seven years.

The ATP Tour is currently in the European clay court swing ahead of the second major of the season, Roland-Garros, in late May. That leads into Wimbledon in July, with the tour returning to the United States in August for the hard court season that precedes the US Open in New York.

The Serbian last played the US Open in 2021, when he was beaten by Daniil Medvedev in the final, denying Djokovic a calendar year Grand Slam.

https://twitter.com/BenRothenberg/status/1653158515144368128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

In 2020, he was defaulted from the tournament after hitting a line judge with a ball during his fourth round match against Spain's Pablo Carreño Busta.

Djokovic won a record-equalling 22nd grand slam title at the Australian Open in January.

He always maintained that he was willing to miss major tournaments in order to stand by his beliefs.

"That is the price that I'm willing to pay," Djokovic said in 2022.

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply