Djokovic has clear path to play at US Open as Covid restrictions lifted

Serbian Djokovic was not allowed to enter the country last year due to these restrictions, and he has also been unable to compete in the two major tournaments Indian Wells and the Miami Open, although in the latter case, the governor of Florida urged the US president to allow the legendary player to enter the country but to no avail.

Similarly, he also travelled home from the Australian Open last year without being allowed to play.

He last played at the US Open in 2021, where he lost the final to Russian Daniil Medvedev. But he said earlier this month that he was keen to return to Flushing Meadows to try and regain the title.

"I actually had in 2021, when I lost in the final against Medvedev, probably one of the best moments I've ever had with the crowd in New York," Djokovic previously told CNN.

"I've been lucky to win that tournament three times and play many finals. Even though I lost that match, I got a lot of love and recognition from people and I want to go back and reconnect with the crowd there. So it's something I'm looking forward to and hopefully it will happen."

Due to his unwillingness to be vaccinated, he has had to wait for the US Senate to vote in favour of lifting coronavirus restrictions in the US. This has now happened and President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law as soon as possible.

Djokovic, 35, is currently ranked second in the world and last won the US Open in 2018. This followed wins at the tournament in 2011 and 2015. He has won 10 of the last 18 Majors and would have won a calendar Grand Slam had he defeated Medvedev in 2015.