Novak Djokovic's US Open 2022 hopes: Key dates and why potential withdrawal timing matters to draw

The waiting game goes on for Novak Djokovic. After the high of winning his 21st Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in July, Djokovic hasn’t played since then as he has been unable to travel to the ATP Tour's most recent tournaments in Canada and the United States due to being unvaccinated for Covid-19. With a week to go until the US Open starts in New York it is still not clear if Djokovic will be allowed to enter the country and compete, even though the Covid-19 rules have recently been relaxed.

Ad Djokovic is currently entered into the tournament and is seeded fifth following Alexander Zverev’s withdrawal. However, there is still a significant question mark over his involvement, plus several implications on the draw if he pulls out at different times over the next week. US Open'It's a joke' — McEnroe says Djokovic missing US Open would not be 'fair'3 HOURS AGO What happens if Djokovic withdraws before the draw? The draw for the US Open is set to take place on Thursday, August 25.

This is the moment when all the first-round matches will be made and players’ potential paths to the final will be plotted out. There are 32 seeded players in the men’s and women’s singles draws based on the highest 32 ranked players in the world rankings. Daniil Medvedev will be men’s top seed with world No.

1 and Iga Swiatek the women’s equivalent. Medvedev hopes Djokovic can play US Open McEnroe: Djokovic missing US Open not 'fair' Djokovic is the world No. 6 but the fifth seed as it stands after Zverev pulled out due to an ankle injury which he sustained in the semi-finals of the French Open.