Novak Djokovic announces withdrawal from U.S. Open due to COVID-19 vaccination status

"The Joker" and his COVID-19 vaccination status has been a contentious issue that has dominated headlines since 2021. After winning three majors last year, Djokovic's 2022 has largely been a disaster.

He initially received a medical exemption to play at the Australian Open in January, but upon arriving "down under," he was embroiled in an international legal battle that resulted in him having his visa revoked and being deported before the tournament got underway.  Djokovic said at the time that he was willing to skip tournaments where vaccination was required to enter the host country, and he has stuck to that position.

The 21-time major champion was able to compete in the French Open in the spring, but fell to Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals. Djokovic bounced back to capture the Wimbledon crown in July.

The 35-year-old Serbian said recently that he was hoping the U.S. would change its policies, allowing him to compete at the final major of the year, saying "I am preparing as if I will be allowed to compete." Now ranked No. 6 in the world, Djokovic's stock will fall further following the withdrawal.

"Djokovic earned his fourth straight trophy at the All England Club last month, but received no ranking points for his efforts as a consequence of the ban on Russian and Belarusian players," ESPN.com's D'Arcy Maine reported Thursday. "Having reached the final at the 2021 US Open, Djokovic will lose an additional 1,200 points and his ranking will drop further at the conclusion of the event."

His next scheduled competition is for the Serbian team at the Davis Cup or for the European team at the Laver Cup. The 2022 U.S. Open is slated to begin on Monday.