Social media erupts as Novak Djokovic is LEFT OUT of US Open for vaccination status
Social media erupted Thursday after Novak Djokovic announced he will not be traveling to New York for the upcoming US Open after refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19, making himself ineligible to enter the country.
The decision sparked a huge reaction online, with one user branding it a ‘huge embarrassment for the United States’, while others took aim at the player himself for ‘tarnishing his career’ by not getting the shot.
Former assistant secretary for Public Affairs in the US treasury, Monica Crowley, apologized to Djokovic via Twitter, saying ‘I’m sorry that our power-mad despots have denied you entry for the US Open based merely on their pathological desire for control.
‘Maybe try coming in via the southern border – no vax checks there.’
Another praised the Serbian for what he stands for amidst the pressures from the tennis world to have been vaccinated.
‘You are a great champion and a real hero. No one from us will watch the “Moderna Open. They are using the politics to stop you from being the Goat! But guess what??
‘You are already the goat. Love you.’
Social media reached boiling point following Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal from the US Open
Another Twitter user gave his thoughts on why the USTA were not in a hurry to apply for an exemption to the rules, noting: ‘Just imagine Novak Djokovic, by far the most famous worldwide athlete who’s not COVID vaccinated, holding the US Open trophy with Moderna, whose only product is a COVID vaccine, as a sponsor in the background.’
Elsewhere, one anti-Djokovic tennis fan wrote: ‘Unreal that you’ve allowed your fear of getting a shot to tarnish the twilight of your career like this.
‘You could’ve been the undisputed GOAT [greatest of all-time]. Better hope Nadal doesn’t win it…’
Meanwhile Djokovic tweeted out his thoughts after the draw was announced, saying: ‘Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open. Thank you #NoleFam for your messages of love and support. Good luck to my fellow players! I’ll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again. See you soon tennis world!’
The three-time US Open winner had hoped to enter the tournament, provided the US government changed its policy for unvaccinated visitors. The US Tennis Association previously said it would adhere to such a change by allowing Djokovic to play if he were permitted in the US.
After beating Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final on July 10, Djokovic said he ‘would love’ to participate in the last Grand Slam tournament of the year at Flushing Meadows, but he also acknowledged, ‘I’m not planning to get vaccinated.’
Officials did stress that he will be welcome to play at the US Open in 2023.
‘Novak is a great champion and it is very unfortunate that he will be unable to compete at the 2022 US Open, as he is unable to enter the country due to the federal government’s vaccination policy for non-US citizens,’ tournament director Stacey Allaster said in a statement.
‘We look forward to welcoming Novak back at the 2023 US Open.’
The Serbian star will not be able to be equal Rafael Nadal’s record 22 Grand Slams this season
Djokovic has won three US Opens & will have to wait until 2023 before he can try for his fourth
An additional player from the Qualifying Tournament will be the ‘lucky loser’ who replaces Djokovic at the 2022 US Open, according to a statement from tournament officials.
Officially, Djokovic withdrew from the tournament before the main draw was released.
Djokovic has steadfastly refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19, missing several tournaments as a result. The decorated Serbian tennis sensation has maintained that he is not against all vaccines, but is very discriminating when it comes to things he puts into his own body.
Djokovic will be able to play at next year’s Australian Open after missing last year’s iteration
‘I was never against vaccination,’ he told the BBC in February, saying he got vaccinated as a child, ‘but I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.’
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.
Djokovic missed the Australian Open in January after a protracted legal saga ended with his deportation from that country because he isn’t vaccinated against COVID-19. His attorneys argued that he didn’t t need to be vaccinated because he had recently overcome a bout with COVID-19.
