US Open: Novak Djokovic puts on a clinic in his return to Queens, beating France’s Alexandre Muller 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 after missing 2022 tournament over his refusal to get COVID vaccine
US Open: Novak Djokovic gives a clinic in his return to Queens, defeating Frenchman Alexandre Muller 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 after missing the 2022 tournament due to his refusal to receive a COVID vaccine to get
- Djokovic made his triumphant return to the US Open on Monday after two years
- He previously missed the 2022 tournament due to his refusal to be vaccinated
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It’s like he never left.
Novak Djokovic made his triumphant return to the US Open on Monday by putting on an absolute clinic in a 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Frenchman Alexandre Muller.
Unable to compete at Flushing Meadows in 2022 due to not being allowed to fly to the country as a foreigner who has not been vaccinated against COVID-19, the 23-time Grand Slam champion effectively sent a warning to the men’s field through to a victory in the first round. Müller’s effort was beyond doubt, but even that could not prevent him from being beaten in an hour and 35 minutes.
Djokovic was asked on Friday if he held any grudges over the turn of events; In addition to the US Open, he competed in tournaments in California and Florida due to a federal rule related to the pandemic that was lifted in May.
“No, there was no anger. Last year during the Open I regretted not being there. I was sorry I couldn’t participate,” Djokovic shrugged, wearing a gray hoodie. “But this year, I mean, is this year. I don’t think about what happened in the last year or the last few years. I’m just focusing my attention on this year’s tournament.’
Novak Djokovic made his triumphant return to the US Open on Monday
Djokovic missed the 2022 tournament due to his refusal to get vaccinated before entering the US
Fans wore shirts with pictures of Djokovic’s face on them as they watched him play
The last game the 36-year-old from Serbia played in Ashe was the 2021 US Open final, a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Daniil Medvedev. Not only did Djokovic’s record in title matches at Flushing Meadows drop to 3-6, but more importantly, it put him one win away from completing the first Grand Slam in men’s tennis in a calendar year since Rod Laver’s 1969 .
Djokovic cried at the end of that game, something he attributed that day to a mix of relief at no longer having the milestone over his head and appreciation at the way the thousands of spectators greeted his efforts.
“What I felt from the crowd – that kind of connection, love and support they gave me throughout the game, including the closing ceremony – was something I still carry in my heart,” he said Friday. ‘I still feel the atmosphere of that final night two years ago. I’m going to try to use that for this year’s tournament.’
While that piece of history fell by the wayside, Djokovic is still winning and aiming for more achievements.