Reilly Opelka withdraws from US Open

American tennis player Reilly Opelka has withdrawn from the 2022 US Open, enabling compatriot Jack Sock an entry into the main draw of the season-ending Grand Slam.

Opelka did not explain any reason for his absence from the US Open, but given his recent schedule and injuries, the withdrawal did not come as a surprise.

The American has not played in the last two Masters 1000 tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati, losing his finalist points from the 2021 Canadian Open.

Sock, who was on the fringes of gaining direct entry into the US Open, was expected to get a place in the main draw after Novak Djokovic's likely withdrawal. However, given his compatriot's withdrawal, the American is now into the main draw of the New York Major.

Djokovic will not be allowed to play at the US Open under current US border rules due to his unvaccinated status. Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev, who is nursing an ankle injury, has withdrawn from the Grand Slam event as well.

Zverev has been out of action since undergoing surgery after suffering an ankle injury at the French Open earlier this year.