US Open: Novak Djokovic claims there’s no hard feelings after vaccine status prevented him from playing in New York last year

Novak Djokovic has stressed that he has no grudges about returning to the US Open after being banned from competing a year ago.

The Serb is back after being held back by the US government from entering the country in 2022 due to his refusal to take a Covid vaccine, an absence that paved the way for Carlos Alcaraz to claim his first Major title .

After beating Alcaraz in Cincinnati last Sunday — a small measure of revenge for what happened at Wimbledon — he was eager to radiate positivity rather than dwell on the controversies that kept him away 12 months ago.

“There was no anger. Last year during the Open I regretted not being there. I was sorry I couldn’t participate,” he said. “But this time I’m not thinking about what happened in the last year or the last few years.

“The first feeling I have is excitement to come back because it’s the biggest arena we have in our sport, the biggest stadium and definitely the most fun, most exciting atmosphere there is in tennis, game night sessions in Arthur Ashe, no doubt . I am very happy to be able to play opening night on Monday. Come back for probably the loudest fans in the sport.”

The Serbian starts with a comfortable looking first round against Dominik Koepfer

The Serb defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the Western & Southern Open final in Cincinnati

In the Cincinnati final, he beat Alcaraz in three sets that lasted three hours and 49 minutes in a sweltering heat, a test from which he has only just recovered.

“It was so physically demanding and grueling that I felt very exhausted for the next few days,” he said. “Those are the moments in competitions where I still push myself to the limit every day, day in and day out: practice, sacrifice, commit. At 36, I still have the drive.

‘I like competition. I think the more you find yourself in those specific circumstances where you experience adversity on the court, where things may not be going the right way in terms of that day’s performance, in terms of tennis, or mentally. If you’re not feeling your best, that’s normally the best possible opportunity for you to grow mentally. Normally you learn the most from setbacks.’

Djokovic starts his campaign with a comfortable looking first round match against German Dominik Koepfer. In the third round, he could theoretically meet Britain’s Dan Evans.