30 March 2023 , 16:05
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Novak Djokovic will be allowed to compete at this year's US Open after the Senate voted to lift Covid restrictions on May 11.
Djokovic has not played in America since losing the 2021 US Open final to Daniil Medvedev due to the countries strict travel restrictions. Currently, foreign visitors need to show proof they have been vaccinated against Covid in order to enter the country and Djokovic has not.
As a result, the Serbian missed last year's US Open and was also denied entry for the Indian Wells and Miami Open events earlier this month. However, the US Senate have now voted and passed a bill to end those restrictions and President Joe Biden is now set to sign it.
Speaking to CNN this month, Djokovic opened up about his desire to play at this year's US Open, having previously won the tournament on three occasions. "That is the most important tournament for me on the American soil," he said.
"I really want to be playing there, want to be there. I actually had in 2021 when I lost in the finals against Medvedev, probably one of the best moments I ever had with the New York crowd.
Novak Djokovic won Australian Open despite playing with major hamstring tear
"And I've been fortunate to win that tournament three times, play many finals. And even though I lost that match, I received a lot of love and appreciation from people and I want to go back and I want to reconnect with the crowd there.
Djokovic will be allowed to return to America later this year to play in the US Open (Francois Nel/Getty Images)"So that's something I'm looking forward to and hopefully it will happen." Djokovic is currently gearing up for a busy summer of tennis which will see him compete at the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open in a five-month period.
The French Open is first on the schedule and will see Djokovic attempt to surpass rival Rafael Nadal as the most successful male tennis star in the history of the sport, with both players having won a joint-record 22 Grand Slam singles titles.
And Djokovic has admitted he would love to face Nadal in the final, stating: "The rivalry that counts the most matches in the history of any rivalry in tennis. I would like to meet in the Roland Garros final, if I could choose, I believe we would both sign it now."