Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic won’t be allowed to play in the US Open because he has not had the experimental covid jabs.
Djokovic has been ruled out because the United States is still banning travel into the country for anyone who has not been vaccinated against covid-19.
Although the US Open organizers do not have a vaccine mandate in place, they say they are respecting the government’s rules on non-citizens being fully vaccinated in order to enter the country.
The Mail Online reports: Djokovic’s anti-vaccine stance has been well-documented. In January 2022, he was deported from Australia prior to the Open in Melbourne over his refusal to get vaccinated.
Following the drama Down Under, Djokovic, 35, said that he would not get the jab just to compete in tournaments.
The former world number one told the BBC in February that he had vaccines as a child and that he was not ‘against vaccinations.’
He added: ‘I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.’
Djokovic was hopeful of competing in Flushing Meadows next month but won’t risk a repeat of the deportation furor he went through in Australia.
The Serbian superstar has won the US Open on three occasions.
He was named on the entry list for the final grand slam of the year on Wednesday, but that is routine, rather than an indication that he will be allowed to play.
Leave a Reply