“The year started as it did and all this affected me a lot. Mentally and emotionally, he was not well. It was not easy to close this episode, it caused me a lot of commotion. But I just needed time to let the storm out (…) I didn’t get vaccinated and I don’t plan to get vaccinated either. I don’t think asking for an extension is an option either. Now I’m on vacations. Whether I play or not, I need at least a couple of weeks to myself because this period has been particularly tiring.”
“I didn’t get vaccinated and I don’t plan to get vaccinated either”: Djokovic made history at Wimbledon but doesn’t know the next chapters at the US Open
Novak Djokovic had just won Wimbledon for the seventh time in his career, he had won the 21st Grand Slam of his career in this case after a year without winning and he was smiling again in a way he had not seen for a long time. . The relationship with the fans might not be the same, but most of them managed to make the separation between what happens inside and outside courts, as he well expressed when receiving the trophy and when he went out to the balcony to greet the thousands of people who were in the British arena. Even so, having just closed a chapter of personal and sporting redemption, another problem began to arise.
Due to the rules that still apply in the US, that is, in New York, the fact that he is not yet vaccinated could cause him to miss a Grand Slam again for non-physical reasons (until 2022, in 70 Majors celebrated, he had only been absent at the 2017 US Open and shoulder injury). And, less than three weeks before the last big tournament of the season, reality extends to other competitions where, for the same reason, you will not be able to register in Montreal (Canada) and Cincinnati (USA), two of the most famous races that precede the North American Grand Slam, which starts on August 29. However, there are many voices calling for the presence of the Serbian. Increasingly. And it has become a national issue.
The final of the villains consecrated a former hero: Djokovic beats Kyrgios, wins Wimbledon and is one Grand Slam away from Nadal
“President Biden bans Djokovic from playing the US Open, but allows millions of unvaccinated illegal immigrants from Mexico to cross the border. I only ask one question: What difference does one more unvaccinated make?” questioned Drew Springer, a senator from Texas, who will ask the White House for more clarification on the matter. “Let Novak Djokovic play the US Open! The tournament is devalued when it kicks out one of the best players in the world,” said Richard Grenell, a diplomat and former acting director of the CIA. However, once again, the US Open confirmed this Wednesday that the Serbian will not be able to play.
Our individual men’s and women’s entry lists have been published.
Read more:
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) July 20, 2022
At the same time, the petition addressed to the American Tennis Association remains available online so that a solution can be found with the authorities that allows the former world number 1 to participate in the US Open, a competition that she has already won in 2011, 2015 and 2018 …reach 15,000 subscribers, with the current value exceeding 12,000. “There is absolutely no no reason at this stage of the pandemic to not allow Djokovic to play the US Open. The government and the American Tennis Association must work together to get him to play. If unvaccinated Americans can play, Djokovic, one of the game’s legends, must also be able to play.”
Petition to allow Djokovic to play US Open nears 12,000 signatures https://t.co/Js4GYfduCn pic.twitter.com/mAGC4B4fN9
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 20, 2022
The attempts exist, the hope is not high and Djokovic’s own coach, the Croatian and former player Goran Ivanisevic, considers that “it is more likely that he will be invited to the Umag tournament than Djokovic to play the US Open”. “The US is an inflexible country in this type of situation and prohibits the entry of unvaccinated people. The tournament does not pose any problem, but the country’s politics rule. I respect your decision, it won’t change but It was very bad to see people say that he had become the leader of the anti-vaccines. I wasn’t influencing anyone at all, I just didn’t want to get vaccinated.”
“Biden is barring Novak Djokovic from coming to the US, but allowing millions of unvaccinated illegals to cross the border” – Texas State Senator Drew Springer https://t.co/MIxP8TWbnV via @SK__Tennis This is garbage.
— Clemente Surajpal (@SurajpalClement) July 17, 2022
Last week, more than attending the last Grand Slam of the season or not, Djokovic asked for one thing at a press conference: respect. “I am a professional tennis player and I just want to be where he can play. I am not interested in political wars, I have my convictions and I only ask that everyone be free to choose what they think is best. Respect me and at least respect my decision. If it’s allowed, I’ll be in New York, otherwise it won’t be the end of the world. It was not pleasant to live in that situation in Australia. Many people still believe that I entered Australia without permission but this is false and I have proven it in court. I will never go to a country that doesn’t love me and won’t let me in, but I hope to be able to return in January. I love Australia and I want to return, it is the tournament where I have the best results. I look forward to being there,” he said.
Source: Observadora
