Barry Cowan thinks Novak Djokovic knew since March that he probably wasn’t going to be allowed to compete at the US Open. Earlier this year, Djokovic didn’t participate at the Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami because he wasn’t allowed to enter the US as an unvaccinated foreigner.
Five months later, Djokovic missed out on the Masters events in Montreal and Cincinnati because he wasn’t allowed to enter Canada and the US because of his vaccination status. Now, he is set to miss out on the US Open because of the same reason.
“It’s something he knew going back to March that he wouldn’t be able to play those American tournaments. I think he’s, certainly at this stage, accepting the situation, he’s not fighting it,” Cowan said on Sky Sports, via Sportskeeda.
Cowan: It’s a shame not to have Djokovic at the US Open
“It is a shame for all concerned because you want the best players playing at the tournament. You want the biggest stories and with Djokovic winning Wimbledon and the chance to, of course, win another Major and close the gap with Rafa.
It makes the men’s field that much weaker, and I guess makes the men’s field that much more open,” Cowan added. At the start of the season, Djokovic wasn’t allowed to participate at the Australian Open. Now, it seems that the French Open and Wimbledon will be the only two Grand Slams where Djokovic was allowed to participate this season.
At Wimbledon, Djokovic won his 21st Grand Slam to remain alive in the Grand Slam race. Rafael Nadal, who owns a record 22 Grand Slams, is set to compete at the US Open. With Djokovic out, Nadal will be looking to win his 23rd Grand Slam and again go two Grand Slams ahead of Djokovic.
Djokovic is also facing uncertainty regarding his Australian Open participation since he was handed a three-year ban from entering the country.
