A couple of big names will miss the 2022 Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati including Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev.
A fairly popular Masters event leading up to the US Open, Cincinnati usually draws all the best in the world and it's that way this year as well. Even so, there are notable names that will miss the event due to injuries or bureaucracy issues. We're going to list some of the biggest names that will miss the event. Gael Monfils only recently returned to playing but he rolled his ankle in Montreal and will miss this event.
Danielle Collins is dealing with injuries again as the American has not played at all in the last couple of weeks. Her US Open participation is in question as well. Dominic Thiem is another player that will miss the Western & Southern Open event as he was forced to withdraw due to a respiratory illness.
Angelique Kerber played well at last year's US Open but she will also miss the event although not due to injury but rather by choice. Last year's champion Alexander Zverev will miss the event due to his ankle injury as he tries to come back in time for the US Open. Roger Federer is also set to make his comeback this year but not in Cincinnati as he nurses his knee back to strength.
And finally, it's Novak Djokovic. The Serbian can't enter the US to play these events but he might be able to do for the US Open. The CDC in America updated its recommendations for the country's COVID policy and the updated rulebook has unvaccinated persons able to enter the country. Now it remains to be seen whether the US changes its policies after those new recommendations. If they do, Djokovic is in.