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Serbian tennis star player Novak Djokovic has officially withdrawn from upcoming Cincinnati Open in Ohio due to existing vaccine mandate. The Serbian is a two-time champion at the Cincinnati Open and won the tournament last time he played in 2020. He also missed this week's Canadian Open on account of the vaccine mandate in Canada as well.

World number 5 tennis player also missed both the tournaments last year as well due to injury. While, he will miss these two upcoming tournaments due to prevailing strict COVID-19 guidelines, Novak Djokovic has received a much-needed breather as United States of America has eased its COVID-19 guidelines due to which 21 Grand Slam winner might get an opportunity to play the upcoming US Open 2022.

Notably, Novak Djokovic has publicly admitted that he will never get vaccinated and is ready to pay any price for the same. He had earlier missed playing in Australian Open 2022 after long legal tussle with Australian government. According to fresh amendments, United States has stated that it will not discriminate between vaccinated and unvaccinated people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US agency which is responsible for the health and safety of US residents, relaxed rules regarding social distancing and quarantine.

On Thursday, the CDC announced the end of many of the COVID-19 restrictions which paves the way for the Serb to play in the US Open. Djokovic earlier urged the US government and organisers of the US Open to relax their rules and guidelines so that he could participate in one of the prestigious tournament in a year.

Speaking of his Cincinnati's stint, Novak Djokovic won his maiden title in 2018 after losing his first five finals at the Masters 1000 event in Ohio. He defeated his great rival Roger Federer in the 2018 final and became the first player to complete a career Golden Masters in singles i.e. winning all nine Masters 1000 events on tour at least once. Djokovic outplayed Milos Raonic in the 2020 final to clinch his second Cincinnati title.