Vaccine hesitance means Novak Djokovic out of Montreal, but Nick Kyrgios is in

Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from next week’s US Open tune-up event in Canada as he cannot enter the country without being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, tournament organisers have said.

Djokovic has refused to take the vaccine but was still included on the entry list for the ATP 1000 hardcourt event in Montreal when it was released in mid-July.

To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller to Canada, an individual must have received their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Canada.

Tennis Canada said on Thursday that Germany’s Oscar Otte had also withdrawn.

However Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi were entered into the main draw.

Djokovic, who remains on the entry list for the August 29-September 11 US Open in New York, has previously said he was prepared to miss grand slam tournaments rather than take the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Serbian was unable to defend his Australian Open crown this year after being deported from the country over his vaccination status in January.