Ons Jabeur has won two rounds despite having flu symptoms, but Dominic Thiem was forced to retire from his second-round match with an illness.
Djokovic, the world No. 1, who is unvaccinated against Covid-19, has lobbied the Biden administration for an exemption so he can play at Indian Wells and the Miami Open. So far, he has come up short.
The world No. 1, Djokovic remains unvaccinated against Covid-19 and still cannot enter the United States without an exemption. He has asked for one and is awaiting an answer.
Deported a year ago and unable to play in 2022’s first Grand Slam tournament, Djokovic deeply felt this major title, his 22nd, calling it “a huge relief.”
Djokovic’s deportation was major news in January 2022, but a year later, the Grand Slam tournament, country and sport seem eager to move on.
Djokovic missed long stretches of the tennis season because he has refused to get vaccinated against Covid-19. That has only made him more determined.
Djokovic said he wouldn’t be able to travel to New York for the tournament that begins next week. The U.S. has travel restrictions that require foreign visitors to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
With testing, quarantine and isolation requirements all but gone, tennis finally seems to have entered a stage of pandemic apathy, much like a lot of society.
The exit of Matteo Berrettini, who reached the men’s singles final last year, came one day after Marin Cilic withdrew after also testing positive for the virus.
The world No. 1 seemed poised to set the men’s record for major titles. Now, after a crushing loss and a vaccine controversy, Djokovic looks to get back on course at the French Open.