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Novak Djokovic is ready to overlook the US Open later this yr as a result of he isn’t vaccinated in opposition to Covid-19
Novak Djokovic has mentioned it’s “not the tip of the world” if he’s compelled to overlook the US Open due to his unvaccinated standing however has questioned if there’s a “political logic” behind the circumstances which imply he can be sidelined.
Djokovic is presently in motion at Wimbledon the place he’s searching for to win a fourth successive title, however as issues stand the Serbian star will be unable to contest this season’s closing Grand Slam in New York in August.
That’s as a result of US entry guidelines forestall international guests from jetting into the nation in the event that they haven’t been jabbed in opposition to Covid-19 – one thing which Djokovic has reiterated that he’s unwilling to do.
Chatting with members of the Serbian press in London, the 20-time Grand Slam champion questioned why he could be compelled to overlook out.
“No unvaccinated individuals can enter the USA as of this second,” mentioned the 35-year-old in feedback shared by Tennis Majors.
“I did hear unofficially that some individuals received away with it, some people who find themselves not ‘well-known’, however I’d by no means even attempt to go to the USA if it isn’t allowed.
“Some individuals assume that I made that mistake in Australia, however it was the opposite in reality – I had the [medical] exemption and many others, let’s not go over the identical story once more.
“Backside line is: if I’m instructed that I can not go, I received’t go, I’d by no means put myself in such a place. Even when I get in, they might see me on TV taking part in tennis and decide me up!” Djokovic added.
The Serbian star was deported from Australia firstly of the yr in an unsavory row centering on his vaccination standing, regardless of arriving with a medical exemption to compete on the Australian Open after recovering from a Covid an infection in December.
Djokovic was then compelled to overlook US occasions at Indian Wells and Miami in March due to American vaccine guidelines, however he was free to play on the French Open in Could and June earlier than arriving within the UK for Wimbledon.
As issues stand, the US Open web site says that followers hoping to attend the 2022 version of occasion “is not going to be required to point out proof of vaccination” though its protocols for gamers “are nonetheless being evaluated.”
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Based mostly on the coverage for ticketholders, it appears seemingly that any unvaccinated US gamers – resembling males’s ace Tennys Sandgren – will have the ability to play, whereas Djokovic can’t as a result of he received’t have the ability to acquire entry to the nation as an unvaccinated foreigner.
Djokovic was free to play eventually yr’s match in New York and reached the ultimate at Flushing Meadows earlier than being overwhelmed by Russia’s Daniil Medvedev.
Nevertheless, the Biden Administration carried out journey guidelines in November of final yr which required any non-citizens flying into the US to be vaccinated.
Earlier this month, US participant Sandgren was crucial of American tennis officers not doing extra to assist Djokovic’s case.
“Fairly shameful that the USTA received’t struggle for an exemption for Novak. No shock the federal government hasn’t modified its archaic coverage. I can play however he can’t? Ridiculous,” wrote Sandgren on Twitter.
Djokovic mentioned he was grateful for that type of assist, telling the Serbian media in London: “I’ve been texting with Tennys Sandgren just a few days in the past. I wished to thank him for the general public assist he has given me on this state of affairs.
“What he mentioned makes complete sense – if unvaccinated gamers aren’t allowed to compete on the US Open, then it must be the case for everybody.
“I don’t see the medical logic behind it, that Tennys can play as a result of he’s a citizen of the USA, and I can not,” Djokovic added.
“If I had a US passport or a inexperienced card, I’d have the ability to play. Possibly there’s a political logic behind it – not medical – however I’d reasonably not get into that, and you’ll perceive why.”
On court docket in London, prime seed Djokovic cruised into the third spherical at Wimbledon as he overcame Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis in straight units, 6-1 6-4 6-2, at Centre Courtroom on Wednesday.
Djokovic is focusing on a fourth title in a row at SW19 and what could be his seventh total on the grass court docket showpiece.
Victory would additionally minimize the deficit to generational rival Rafael Nadal when it comes to total Grand Slam titles, with the Spaniard presently on a document 22 after successful each majors on provide to this point this yr.
Djokovic subsequent performs at Wimbledon in opposition to the winner of the match-up between countryman Miomir Kecmanovic and Chile’s Alejandro Tabil, who additionally met on Wednesday.
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Djokovic prepared to sacrifice titles as a substitute of getting Covid jab
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