Tennis legend John McEnroe has slammed US Open chiefs for ‘ridiculous’ decision that will see Novak Djokovic miss Flushing Meadows in 2022.
Djokovic lifted his seventh Wimbledon trophy on sunday to register his 21st main title but will almost certainly miss the next Grand Slam in New York.
US Open bans unvaccinated players and Djokovic refuses to be vaccinated against coronavirus reiterates its position after Wimbledon final†
Djokovic was labeled an ‘anti-vax poster boy’ on Sunday, prompting a stern response from his wife Jelena, who defended her husband via social media.
McEnroe believes Djokovic should be allowed to play at Flushing Meadows and has urged US Open chiefs to make it happen.
“These politicians are in the way too much,” McEnroe said. “They did it in Australia. Let’s let that man come in and play in the United States, I mean, come on.
‘This is ridiculous. But I don’t make those decisions. I hope someone makes the right one and let him play. That’s my personal opinion.
“You can agree to be tested. I don’t know. There must be a way around this, but we’ll just have to wait and see.’
Djokovic traveled to the Australian Open earlier this year due to a fight over vaccinations, which ultimately saw him expelled and banned from playing after spending time locked up in an immigration facility.
The 35-year-old Serb tried to use a medical exemption to enter the country, but failed as he was unable to defend his title in 2021 and then suffered a slump in form.
Djokovic has said the only way he will play the 2022 US Open – a tournament he has won three times – is if he is given a waiver to enter the United States.
The world number 7 has led Roger Federer in the all-time Grand Slam title race and is one behind Rafael Nadal, who has 22 to his name.
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