Novak Djokovic Officially Withdraws From Montreal Event

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic speaks during press conference after attending his welcoming ceremony celebration at the Belgrade City Hall in Belgrade, Serbia, on July 11, 2022. (Pedja Milosavljevic/AFP via Getty Images)

World No. 6 Novak Djokovic officially withdrew Thursday from next week’s National Bank Open in Montreal.

Tennis Canada confirmed Djokovic’s withdrawal.

Djokovic is unable to enter Canada because he is unvaccinated against COVID-19. Anybody traveling into Canada must have at least two doses of the vaccination against the coronavirus.

The ATP 1000 event in Montreal is a hardcourt tune-up for the upcoming U.S. Open in New York, which Djokovic is also likely to miss barring an 11th-hour exemption. Current rules require non-U.S. citizens to show proof of being fully vaccinated before entering the country by air from a foreign nation.

American Josh Isner criticized the current conditions that would prevent Djokovic, a 21-time Grand Slam winner, from playing in the Open.

“Complete lunacy he can’t compete as of now,” Isner wrote on Twitter Tuesday in response to a question about a movement to allow the Serbian star into the Open.

Yes. Complete lunacy he can’t compete as of now. #science

— John Isner (@JohnIsner) August 3, 2022

Djokovic’s name appears on the entry list for the U.S. Open, which will be held Aug. 29–Sept. 11.

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