Rafael Nadal

The 22-time Grand Slam champion said the Serbian's absence will affect the fans, the tournament and the players.

In this case, not having one of the best players of the history in the draw of Grand Slam is always an important miss, no?” It’s unknown whether Djokovic will play in any tournaments ahead of the Laver Cup. “In a personal way I feel sorry for him that he’s not able to travel here.” [He withdrew from the Grand Slam tournament](https://www.si.com/tennis/2022/08/25/novak-djokovic-wont-play-us-open-legacy-records-vaccine-covid-19) since he could not travel to the United States. [Novak Djokovic will officially not play](https://www.si.com/tennis/2022/08/25/novak-djokovic-will-not-play-in-u-s-open-due-to-vaccination-status) in this year’s U.S. “It’s always a shame when the best players of the world are not able to play a tournament because of injuries or because of different reasons.

Novak Djokovic, the second all-time Grand Slam winner (21), will not be in the tournament field at this year's U.S. Open. Rafael Nadal, No.

Djokovic withdrew from the 2022 U.S. 1 is famously unvaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Not having one of the best players of the history in the draw of a grand slam is an important miss," Nadal said, per James Gray.

One player who won't be in attendance is three-time U.S. Open champion and former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who will be missing his second major due to his ...

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Djokovic is unable to participate in the upcoming tournament because he is unvaccinated against COVID-19.

This is the first time he returns to the US Open since he won it in 2019. In 2020, the Spaniard chose not to travel due to safety concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's tough for the fans, tough for the tournament," Nadal said. 6, is not allowed to travel to the United States due to the country's restrictions on unvaccinated foreign nationals. This week, Rafael Nadal said Djokovic's absence from the US Open is "very sad news." "In this case, not having one of the best players of the history in the draw of a Grand Slam is always an important miss.

The Wimbledon champion is sitting out his second grand slam of the season because of his ongoing refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Djokovic waited to ...

“I’m taking care with the serve. It’s tough for the fans, tough for the tournament. I hope to be ready for the action. With the tools that I have today, I hope to be competitive enough to give myself a chance. The 36-year-old, who will take on Australia’s Rinky Hijikata in the night session on Tuesday, said: “It’s a tough injury because it’s dangerous, it’s risky. But the Spaniard would rather his rival was in New York, saying: “From my personal perspective, it’s very sad news.

Novak Djokovic sitting out the US Open after refusing vaccination against COVID-19 frees his old rival Rafael Nadal to hunt a 23rd grand slam title.

“It’s a pity [Djokovic] is not here. “Without a doubt, Novak is one of the most important players of the last 20 years, the history of our sport. “I hope he’s healthy enough to make that happen. With the tools that I have today, I hope to be competitive enough to give myself a chance.” “The world of tennis (will) keep going, even if it is not good news for everyone,” Nadal shrugged. In my opinion, tough for the players, too, because we want to have the best field possible.” “I am doing things the best way that I can. I hope to be ready for the action. At the age of 36, Nadal knows his own opportunities to add to his grand slam tally are dwindling but he remains philisophical. Djokovic is sitting out his second grand slam of the season because of his ongoing refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Fellow grand slam glutton Roger Federer, with 20 titles to his name, is also missing the 2022 Open. But Nadal says the show will always go on with or without the sport’s biggest stars.

Rafael Nadal returns to the US Open for the first time since he won the 2019 title in New York.

Set for his 16th New York appearance, he will open against Australia's [Rinky Hijikata](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/rinky-hijikata/h0bh/overview) on Tuesday evening in [Arthur Ashe](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/arthur-ashe/a063/overview) Stadium. Let's see what can happen, but I am happy with the practices." "Happy to be back," he said. I played sets every day for the last five days. "Before Cincinnati I just played two sets there before the tournament started, so it's difficult. But practising every day with the guys helps me, without a doubt.

Even in a year in which he's repeatedly been sidelined by injuries (a rib stress fracture in Indian Wells, an abdominal tear at Wimbledon), Rafael Nadal has ...

The Wimbledon champion is sitting out his second grand slam of the season because of his ongoing refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Djokovic waited to ...

With the tools that I have today, I hope to be competitive enough to give myself a chance. I hope to be ready for the action. “I’m taking care with the serve. [Terms of use,](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/user-policies-a6184151.html) [Cookie policy](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html) and [Privacy notice.](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html) The 36-year-old, who will take on Australia’s Rinky Hijikata in the night session on Tuesday, said: “It’s a tough injury because it’s dangerous, it’s risky. [Privacy policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en) and [Terms of service](https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en) apply. It’s tough for the fans, tough for the tournament. But, in general terms, I am practising at a high level of intensity. Two years ago I was not here. Last year I was not here. But the Spaniard would rather his rival was in New York, saying: “From my personal perspective, it’s very sad news. “I missed a lot of important events in my tennis career because of injuries.

Djokovic, who won Wimbledon to take his major singles titles to 21, has opted not to be vaccinated against COVID-19. He said on Thursday he could not fly to ...

The six-foot six-inch, power-serving Russian said he wanted to try “something big” in New York. Medvedev rolls into the US Open after a handful of uneven performances, winning at Los Cabos before suffering a shock early exit in Montreal. “It’s a pity he (Djokovic) is not here. “The rivalry against Rafa is really I feel like heating up in a way. In a personal way I feel sorry for him that he’s not able to travel here.” “The tournament continues.