Novak Djokovic’s vaccination status will complicate his quest for a 21e Grand Slam title this season, a trophy that would see him equal Rafael Nadal in terms of major tournament triumphs. Under the current rules, it will be difficult for the world number one to play Roland-Garros and the United States Open.
It was thousands of miles from Melbourne that the Serb watched his Spanish rival become the first man to win a 21e Grand Slam trophy, after an epic battle with the Russian Daniil Medvedev (second racket in the world), Sunday morning, Quebec time.
Prior to the tournament, Djokovic, Nadal and Switzerland’s Roger Federer all held 20 major titles. An astronomical figure that demonstrates their hold on world tennis over the past two decades.
At 34, the youngest of the group was however tipped to break the tie at the Australian Open, but he rather made the headlines because of his non-vaccinated status, which prohibited him from entering the country.
Djokovic was expelled from Australia just before the start of the tournament, following a saga in court and having been detained twice.
Tighter rules in France
The race for posterity is complicated for the “Djoker”. France will tighten its border rules for the unvaccinated on February 15, which should prevent Djokovic from playing Roland-Garros in May. The Serb is the defending champion in Paris.
In the United States, the regulations currently in place would also deprive him of participation in the United States Open at the end of August.
That leaves Wimbledon, played in London at the end of June. The Serb could enter the United Kingdom, even if he is not vaccinated, but the tournament could prohibit his defending champion from treading his prestigious lawn.
Back to Dubai
Beyond the Grand Slams, what events will Djokovic be able to play in this season? For the moment, we know that he would be prohibited from entering Canada as well. If nothing changes by August, we won’t see “Djoko” at the National Bank Open in Montreal.
The 86-tournament ATP champion is yet to play this year. He is expected to return to Dubai at the end of February. Vaccination is not compulsory in the United Arab Emirates.
The world’s leading player will then have to skip the two events that will take place in the United States in March: the Indian Wells and Miami Masters, two tournaments considered the most prestigious after the four Grand Slam rounds.
An absence that disappoints the former American player Jason Blake, who became director of the Miami tournament. Although he “strongly disagrees with Djokovic’s position on the COVID vaccine,” Blake told the Miami Herald that he “would very much like” to welcome the big star.
The first rank in play
Then, it will probably be impossible for him to compete in the Monte-Carlo Masters (in France) at the beginning of April, because the “vaccination passport” from which he benefits will expire on the day of the semi-finals.
It is therefore to be expected that Djokovic will play his second tournament of the campaign at home in mid-April, on the occasion of the Serbian Open, played at … Novak Tennis Center.
This prolonged absence from the courts could benefit his runner-up in the standings. Medvedev will already see his gap to the No. 1 in the world melt away on February 22, when Djokovic loses the points accumulated from his victory at the 2021 Australian Open.
The rules for other Grand Slams
ROLAND GARROS, FRANCE
New rules will come into force in France on February 15. For now, the country allows unvaccinated foreigners who have contracted COVID-19 in the last six months to enter its territory. But from mid-February, the period will be reduced to four months. According to the documents he presented in Australia, Novak Djokovic was tested and declared positive for the virus on December 16. Unless he catches COVID a third time in two years by then, or is not vaccinated, the Serb will be banned from entering France from April 16.
WIMBLEDON, UNITED KINGDOM
- From June 27 to July 10
For now, Djokovic could play at Wimbledon, even if he is not vaccinated. But the defending champion will have to submit to strict rules: he will have to obtain a negative test two days before his arrival in England, then submit to a 10-day quarantine. During this, he will have to test negative on the second and eighth day. But beware, it is not excluded that the All England Club, enclosure of the tournament, chooses to prohibit the access to the unvaccinated players.
US OPEN, UNITED STATES
- From August 29 to September 11
Travelers entering the United States now must be properly vaccinated against COVID-19, if they are not US residents. To be able to play in New York, Djokovic would have to present a medical exemption which proves that he cannot be vaccinated against the virus (if that is the case). He could also request a humanitarian or emergency exemption from the government, but there is no guarantee that it would be granted.
Sources: The Team, Washington Post and CBS Sports