Barry Cowan believes that Novak Djokovic knew since March that he was probably not going to be allowed to compete at the US Open. Earlier this year, Djokovic did not participate in the Indian Wells and Miami Masters because he was not allowed to enter the United States as an unvaccinated foreigner.
Five months later, Djokovic missed the Montreal and Cincinnati Masters because he was not allowed to enter Canada and the United States due to his vaccination status. Now, he will miss the US Open for the same reason. “It’s something he’s known since March that he wouldn’t be able to play those North American tournaments.
I think at this point he’s accepting the situation, he’s not fighting it,” Cowan said on Sky Sports via Sportskeeda. “It’s a shame for everyone involved because you want the best players to play in 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. He makes the men’s field much weaker, and I guess he makes the men’s field much more open,” Cowan added.
Earlier in the season, Djokovic was unable to participate in the Australian Open. Now, it looks like the French Open and Wimbledon will be the only two Grand Slams Djokovic will be able to participate in this season. At Wimbledon, Djokovic won his 21st Grand Slam to stay alive in the Grand Slam race.
Rafael Nadal, who holds the record for 22 Grand Slams, will compete at the US Open. With Djokovic out, Nadal will be looking to win his 23rd Grand Slam and once again lead Djokovic by two Grand Slams. Djokovic is also facing uncertainty over his participation in the Australian Open since a three-year ban from entering the country was imposed on him.
Clay Travis comments on Djokovic
Clay Travis posted a video on Twitter where he lauded Novak Djokovic for “standing on principle” despite the cost to his career. “Novak Djokovic gave up a chance at two majors he would have been favored to win over his refusal to get the useless covid shot,” Travis said.
“He actually gave up something by standing on principle, something you can’t say about any woke athlete over the past decade. Djokovic would have been the favorite at the Australian Open and he would have been the favorite at the US Open, and at minimum, he’s probably likely to have won at least one of those tournaments.
And there would have been a good chance based on the way he’s been playing, that he would win both, which would have made him the greatest tennis player in men’s tennis history, and maybe he could end up with more majors than any man or woman.
it’s not crazy to think that that would end up being the result. Instead, he has stood on principle over the benefit,” Travis said.
