Novak Djokovic will not be allowed to play in the U.S. Open in August due to his declining the COVID-19 vaccine. MailOnline has more.
The U.S. Open organisers have said they would respect the Government’s rules on non-citizens being fully vaccinated in order to enter the country, ruling out Djokovic.
Djokovic’s anti-vaccine stance has been well-documented. In January 2022, he was deported from Australia prior to the Open in Melbourne over his refusal to get vaccinated.
Following the drama Down Under, Djokovic, 35, said that he would not get the jab just to compete in tournaments.
The former world number one told the BBC in February that he had vaccines as a child and that he was not “against vaccinations”. He added: “I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.”
Djokovic was hopeful of competing in Flushing Meadows next month but won’t risk a repeat of the deportation furor he went through in Australia. The Serbian superstar has won the U.S. Open on three occasions.
He was named on the entry list for the final grand slam of the year on Wednesday, but that is routine, rather than an indication that he will be allowed to play. The list is made up of the highest ranking players in the world. Djokovic is currently ranked seventh. He is only one major win away from tying with fellow legend Rafa Nadal for 22 major titles.
Djokovic said when asked about playing at the U.S. Open: “I’m not going to go to America if I don’t have permission, so the Australian saga for me was not pleasant at all. People still think I forced my way to Australia and tried to come in with no papers, permission or exemption – it is not true. That was proven in the court cases, so I would never go into a country where I didn’t have permission to travel. I would love to come back to Australia. I love Australia, I had my best Grand Slam results in that country. Hopefully I can be there in January because I want to be there, and I also want to be in New York. I want to be in America and everywhere I can possibly play.”
The tournament has not banned any players but the rules are the U.S. Government’s. It’s an unhappy reminder that America continues to discriminate ruthlessly against vaccinated people by banning them from visiting the country, even though its own health agencies admit that the vaccines do not prevent infection or transmission.
Sign the petition calling for Djokovic to be allowed to play here.
In more positive news, it is looking hopeful for Australia next February, as it’s being reported that the new Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, who is a huge tennis follower who plays the sport several times a week, is expected to take a more sympathetic view of Djokovic’s case. It’s an odd version of the rule of law, though, to have the rules sent according to the pastimes of current incumbents.
Worth reading in full.
To join in with the discussion please make a donation to The Daily Sceptic.
Profanity and abuse will be removed and may lead to a permanent ban.
I won’t be signing the change.org petition calling for the USTA to find a way to allow Djokovic to play in the US Tennis Open, because the main reason he cannot play is because of the US Federal Govt (who control the borders) and their decision that only the “vaccinated” are allowed to enter the USA. They are responsible and that stupid rule needs to be removed for everybody, not just Novak.
Yet America has leaky borders with Mexico- how many of those migrants are vaxxinated? No its because he hasn’t bent his knee to the great god Covid that’s why!
There’s a typo in there – they’re discriminating against UNvaccinated people.
Hope they’re watching those porous borders from South America then, checking everyone’s jab status. Trying to keep ‘covid’ a ‘thing’
Also worth pointing out the headline is arguably inaccurate. He has not been “banned from the US Open”, he is unable to play because he is unable to enter the US for any reason as is he unvaccinated and in general exemptions only apply for US citizens.
Not only that, but in effect the tournament in the US is not “open”, except to those with certain medical procedures. Thus they can exclude certain competitors.
Novak loves to play tennis, it’s his life and what drives him to the stratosphere of great-dom … I’d never wish for anyone to be denied their passion
But a part of me, a flippin big part, would love to see him give the middle finger to both tournaments – especially if he was granted an exemption we are not afforded.
I know it’s not necessarily their “fault”, but this is blatant discrimination, and should never be tolerated … In my humble opinion.
In an ideal world he would not have tried to get into Australia. My view is that any country that demands vaxx or test or proof of recovery for covid doesn’t want me and I don’t want to go there – and he should simply say he won’t visit anywhere that discriminates. He can afford to. But I appreciate it’s his life and his passion, so it’s easy for me to say, less so for him. He has already done us a great service.
But wasn’t he initially told he could play in Australia?
I used to think he was a bit boring. But now he’s my sporting hero. And I don’t think he will ever regret his stance, as I don’t regret mine.
He’s an amazing player but his style isn’t my cup of tea, and I always thought he was a bit too full of himself, but that strong personality is what you need when standing up to madness and evil.
Djokovic is doing an enormous service to those of us who believe in our bodily autonomy. And at not insignificant personal cost.
He is on a very short lost of people I have genuine admiration for.
New Zealand, Canada & USA have strong links with the UK but they are all countries who refuse entry to me and countless others because of vaccination status. It is an indication that we are a long way from returning to any kind of normal. Canada in particular looks like maintaining a vaccine restriction for the long term.
As people like Fauci and Biden go down with covid any remaining veneer that the vaccines are doing anything seems to have been shown up for the charade that it is. In which case the position adopted by countries like Canada can only be seen as a blatant weapon of compliance, control and coercion.
I admire Djokovic for his principles, his professionalism and his skills. As far as I am concerned its America’s loss not his!
The can’t seem to stop a million unvaccinated illegals crossing the southern border but seem to be able to ban Djokovic. Just how evil are the Democrats?
I bet 2nd best Nadal is rubbing his hands. More Grand Slams by default
Perhaps the quadruple jabbed like Biden should be banned from watching as he has covid! And healthy Novak can play. Just jesting. But that just surely proves that the insane people, are making insane rules !!
In more positive news, it is looking hopeful for Australia next February, as it’s being reported that the new Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, who is a huge tennis follower who plays the sport several times a week, is expected to take a more sympathetic view of Djokovic’s case. It’s an odd version of the rule of law, though, to have the rules sent according to the pastimes of current incumbents.
Just following the science of course. Crooks.