Former world No.1 Novak Djokovic will miss the US Open after he said on Thursday that he will not be able to travel to New York for the tournament, having chosen not to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Current rules require travellers to show proof of full vaccination to board flights to and enter the US. “Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open,” Djokovic wrote on Twitter.

“Good luck to my fellow players! I’ll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again.” The US Tennis Association has said all along it will follow government rules about vaccination status for this year’s Open. There is no vaccine mandate at the tournament for players or their support teams — meaning that an unvaccinated American would be allowed to compete — and spectators will not be required to wear masks.

Tough draw for Serena Serena Williams begins her last US Open with a match against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic but things could get tough quickly for the 23-time Grand Slam champion with second seed Anett Kontaveit possibly awaiting the winner.

The draw released on Thursday did Serena no favours, with the 40-year-old American landing in the bottom quarter where fifth-seed Ons Jabeur, 10th-seed Daria Kasatkina and last year’s runner-up Leylah Fernandez all lurk.

Top seed and world No.1 Iga Swiatek opens against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. Britain’s Emma Raducanu will open her title defence against Alize Cornet. Men’s top seed Daniil Medvedev will open his title defence against American Stefan Kozlov.

The bottom half of the draw throws up a potential mouth-watering all-Spanish clash between second seed Rafael Nadal and teenager Carlos Alcaraz. Nadal will meet Rinky Hijikata in the first round.