- Chrissie Evert Begins Chemotherapy and Will Miss ESPN’s Australian Open Coverage
- Australian Open entry list: Nadal in with protected ranking, No. 97 cutoff
- Tim Henman Plays Tennis for 24 Hours to Benefit Children’s Charity
- Caroline Wozniacki and Six Aussies Receive 2024 Australian Open Wild Cards
- 2024 Brisbane event includes Nadal, Murray, Dimitrov, and Osaka
- Rafael Nadal Announces Brisbane Return
- Alicia Molik Named Adelaide International Tournament Director
- Defending Champion Tiafoe Returning for U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship
- Including doubles, Sinner defeats Djokovic three times in 11 days
- Sinner the hero as Italy captures first Davis Cup title since 1976
- Dana Mathewson Wins Two Gold Medals at the Parapan American Games
- Gambill: Wayne Arthurs One of Top 3 Servers
- Davis Cup Finals Draws and Schedule for Sunday, November 26, 2023
- Stars Set for LA Tennis Bash on December 9th to Benefit First Break Academy
- SOLINCO NEW RACQUETS THE WHITEOUT AND BLACKOUT XTD+
Tennis News – Rafael Nadal arrives in Cincinnati, Djokovic withdraws — but has hope for U.S. Open
- Updated: August 12, 2022

By Ricky Dimon
Still unable to enter the United States as an unvaccinated foreigner, Novak Djokovic withdrew from the Western & Southern Open on Friday morning.
Because Djokovic pulled out before Friday’s draw ceremony and prior to qualifying getting underway, he was replaced by the next player on the entry list as opposed to a lucky loser. Brandon Nakashima got in directly thanks to the Serb’s exit, and since Nakashima already had a wild card that now frees up the tournament to give a wild card to someone else. It actually has two to work with, as Gael Monfils’ recent withdrawal gave direct entry to Nick Kyrgios–who had previously been in with a wild card.
As for Djokovic, there is a glimmer of hope that he will be granted access into the United States in time for the U.S. Open. On Thursday the CDC announced that “unvaccinated people now have the same guidance as vaccinated people.” There has been no update to travel restrictions in the country, but the CDC added that those guidelines are being reviewed. The 21-time Grand Slam champion has two weeks for the U.S. to change its policy.
Djokovic may be out, but Cincinnati will have Rafael Nadal in the field. Nadal announced earlier this week that he is ready to return and he was already seen practicing at the venue on Thursday.
The 36-year-old Spaniard has a chance to regain the No. 1 ranking after Cincinnati, which would give him the top seed at the U.S. Open. That will be the case if Nadal wins the title and Daniil Medvedev loses prior to the quarterfinals.
This marks Nadal’s first appearance at the Cincinnati Masters since 2017 and he is bidding for his second title, having previously triumphed in 2013.
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.