Less than a week after Novak Djokovic stated that he is not giving up on his hopes of being able to play at the US Open, his coach has said the prospect of it happening is virtually zero.
The 21-time Grand Slam champion is currently training ahead of the New York major which will get underway at the end of next month. However, as it stands Djokovic will not be allowed to play at the tournament due to being unvaccinated against COVID-19. Under current border rules set by the American government, all international arrivals must be vaccinated against the virus unless they qualify for a special exemption.
Djokovic has previously stated during an interview with the BBC that the reason why he doesn’t want to be jabbed was because of reservations he has about the impact it may have on his body. The vaccine has been declared safe by the World Health Organization. The Serbian was deported from Australia earlier this year following a dispute over the legality of his visa due to being unvaccinated.
Speaking to La Repubblica, coach Goran Ivanisevic was asked if he believed that a solution can be found in time for Djokovic to play in America this year.
“There is always hope, Novak will do everything to be there, perhaps with a special visa. But there are only two weeks. And, personally, I have zero hope that (Joe) Biden will change the rules before the tournament starts,” he said.
“To me it’s all nonsense: if you are vaccinated but positive you can enter the United States. If you are not vaccinated but negative, you are banned. There is too much politics in sports.”
Djokovic missed a series of tournaments earlier this year, including two Masters 1000 events in America, due to his stance. He is currently ranked sixth in the world but will fall down the ranking further if he isn’t allowed to play in the country.
“As he was not vaccinated, Nole did not know where he would be allowed to play until the end. In Monte Carlo he was not ready, in Belgrade he ran out of gas in the final and Paris he met Nadal who was better than him. The real rebirth began in Rome.” Ivanisevic commented on the roller-coaster season.
Sinner will be better than Berrettini
Besides speaking about his player, Ivanisevic has high praise for another who he tips to be a future Grand Slam champion. Jannik Sinner is currently ranked 10th in the world and claimed his sixth Tour title in Umag on Sunday after beating Carlos Alcaraz in three sets. The Italian has beaten a top 10 player on nine occasions and is a three-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist.
“I have been a big fan of Sinner since he was a kid. He is humble, he has immense talent and he is growing wonderfully,” the Croat commented. “He is the future of tennis and he will be able to win any Grand Slam. Even against Nole in London (this year’s Wimbledon quarter-finals): he played in an extraordinary way in the first two sets, but he made a mistake in giving in and retreating in the third set.”
Continuing to speak highly of the rising star, Ivanisevic says he is confident that Sinner will become more successful than compatriot Matteo Berrettini. Berrettini is currently ranked 14th in the world and has won seven Tour events.
“As a fan of tennis, I prefer Jannik, without a doubt. I like his tennis better. Matteo is great, he has a great serve, his slices are effective, and he is nice to see. But in my opinion, Sinner will be even better. Jannik has an answer: Exceptional forehand and backhand from the baseline. If he goes to the net more and improves his volleys, he is at the top. He missed that against Djokovic.” He concluded.