Djokovic hopes to play in US despite being unvaccinated

Last year, the 35-year-old Djokovic was deported from Australia ahead of the Australian Open because of his vaccination status. Djokovic returned to the tournament in January after Australia lifted its strict vaccine mandate to win his 22nd Grand Slam title, tying the record with Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic said Wednesday that Nadal remains his biggest on-court rival despite the rise of 19-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who had been at the top of the rankings before a leg injury prevented him from playing at the Australian Open.

"(Alcaraz) is arguably the next biggest thing in our sport, or he's already there." Djokovic said. "I just feel that the rivalry with Nadal is something that is difficult to eliminate.

"Nadal has been the biggest rival and he probably will remain the biggest rival I ever had in my in my career."

Djokovic reached another milestone in his tennis career this week by tying German great Steffi Gaff with 377 weeks at the top of the world rankings.