Deprived of the U.S. Open because of his COVID-19 vaccination status, the fresh Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovich is set to arrive for the Tel Aviv Watergen Open 2022, his team confirmed on Monday.
The tournament will take place at the Expo Tel Aviv compound from September 26 to October 2, and it will be the 35-year-old's first competition in the Jewish state in 16 years.
Back in February 2006, Djokovich helped Serbia win a Davis Cup match against Israel's national team in Ramat HaSharon (4-1). It will also be the second tournament in the ATP 250 category played by Djokovic this season, after the one in Belgrade in April, where was defeated by Andrey Rublev in the finals.
Last month, the three-time defending champion Djokovich defeated Australian Nick Kyrgios in the final 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, 7–6 to secure his fourth consecutive gentlemen's singles tennis title, and his seventh overall Wimbledon trophy.
Djokovich will arrive in the Holy Land despite refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. As mentioned, he won't be able to compete at the last Grand Slam for 2022, a year in which he was also banned from the tournament in Australia in January due to his vaccination status.
"Sadly, I will not be able to travel to New York this time for the U.S. Open," Djokovich posted on Twitter. "I want to thank you the fans for your messages of love and support. Good luck to my fellow players! I’ll keep good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again. See you soon tennis world!"