After being forced to miss the U.S. Open last year due his vaccination status, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic will be able to compete this year after the United States government said on Monday it will end its COVID-19 vaccination requirements for international travellers on May 11.
Djokovic played in the U.S. Open in 2021 despite being one of the most high-profile unvaccinated athletes, but missed it a year ago.
"Today, 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," the White House said in a statement.
Djokovic, a 22-time Grand Slam winner who has won the U.S. Open three times, was unable to enter the country this year after unsuccessfully applying to the U.S. government for special permission to play at Indian Wells and Miami earlier this year.
Djokovic missed last year's Australian Open and was deported from the country due to his vaccine status and has said he would skip Grand Slams rather than have a COVID shot.
“It’s absurd they threw him out of Australia last year,” John McEnroe said earlier this year. “I have had my vaccines, I respect that he’s chosen not to do it. I would’ve done it, but that’s a whole other issue....He played [the U.S. Open] in 2021 and then wasn’t allowed to play in 2022, someone explain that to me. And now he’s still not permitted to play, I mean it’s absurd.”
The hardcourt Grand Slam will be held from Aug. 28-Sept. 10 this year.
(Reuters contributed reporting.)