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‘Let Novak play or we won’t watch this circus show’: Djokovic’s fans react angrily after he is SNUBBED from new US Open poster… as they wait to see whether 21-time Grand Slam champion will be allowed to enter the US amid vaccination controversy
- Novak Djokovic’s US Open status has been in question for some time
- It now looks like he won’t be playing, with less than a week until the tournament
- The Serbian tennis player has not been vaccinated against COVID-19
- Djokovic was left off a preview poster by the US Open on social media this week
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Fans are not happy about Novak Djokovic’s apparent US Open status, as the tournament’s official account tweeted out a promotional graphic for the competition without the Serbian tennis star in it – appearing to confirm he wouldn’t be playing in New York.
Speculation has surrounded Djokovic’s availability for the tournament since he won Wimbledon in July, and he expressed his doubts then that he’d be able to hit the New York’s hardcourt due to being unvaccinated for COVID.
Now, those doubts seem to have come to fruition, and supporters of the 21-time Grand Slam champ are none too pleased.
I Couldn’t Care Less,’ one account said. ‘IF @DjokerNole Isn’t There I Ain’t Interested.’
‘Let Novak play or we won’t watching this [circus] show,’ another one said.
‘You are missing the biggest [tennis star] Mr Novak Djokovic!,’ a third fan said. ‘I’ll pass, it’s all rigged anyway.’
As it stands, Novak Djokovic will not be allowed into the USA to play in this year’s US Open
Fans of the Serbian tennis star were none too pleased by the implication of the graphic
Although the US Open does not have a vaccine mandate, it said last month that it would respect the government’s rules on vaccination, which say that non-citizens must be jabbed to enter the country.
‘I’m not vaccinated and I’m not planning to get vaccinated so the only good news I can have is them removing the mandated green vaccine card or whatever you call it to enter United States or exemption,’ Djokovic said after beating Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final according to ESPN.
‘I don’t know. I don’t think exemption is realistically possible. If that is possibility, I don’t know what exemption would be about.’
While he said previously he was ‘preparing as if’ he’d be allowed to play in the Open, it seems that won’t be the case with neither him nor tournament officials willing to budge.
It wouldn’t be the first tournament Djokovic has skipped, as he missed the Indian Wells Masters and Miami Open earlier this year.
Djokovic also sat out the Australian Open, after travelling to the country intending to play in January but having his visa revoked over the country’s vaccination rules. As of last month, however, travelers to Australia no longer need to provide proof of a COVID vaccine to enter the country.
The graphic featured stars like Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams – but not Djokovic
The graphic was met with responses of #LetNovakPlay, and an online petition calling for the US Tennis Association to work with the government to allow for Djokovic’s inclusion had close to 50,000 signatures as of earlier this month, Reuters reported.
While Djokovic was omitted from the graphic, Kyrgios was included on it, with some some fans incredulous that he was placed alongside stars like Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.
‘Kyrgios in the front row,’ one said along with laughing-crying emojis.
Another fan questioned Kyrgios’ inclusion by saying, ‘A 27-year-old who’s never been past the 3rd round? OK.’
After reaching the Wimbledon final and winning the Citi Open, Kyrgios is considered a contender in the US Open, especially with the expected absence of Djokovic.