‘It’s a JOKE, it isn’t fair!’: John McEnroe fumes at Covid rules that will stop unvaccinated Novak Djokovic from playing at the US Open – with the 21-time Slam champion barred from even entering the country
- Djokovic is likely to be blocked from playing in the US Open as things stand
- 21-time Slam champion remains on the entry list for New York Slam next week
- But unvaccinated non-citizens cannot currently enter the United States
- Rules are being gradually relaxed, raising hopes Djokovic may be exempted
- Legend McEnroe has spoken out about the restrictions ahead of the US Open
John McEnroe has described the Covid rules that are expected to prevent unvaccinated Novak Djokovic playing in the US Open as a ‘joke’.
The 21-time Slam champion is likely to be barred from entry to the United States under rules that require those travelling there to show proof of full vaccination if they’re not citizens.
Unless Djokovic is granted an exemption, he will miss a second Slam event this year having refused to take the Covid jab.
Novak Djokovic, pictured after winning Wimbledon last month, is set to miss next week’s US Open because of his Covid vaccine status
The Serbian star has refused to have the Covid vaccine and will be barred from entering the United States to play in the New York Slam as things stand
The 35-year-old Serbian was blocked from defending his Australian Open back in January when he was deported from the country because of his vaccination status.
Djokovic has made clear he is willing to miss top events as a result of his beliefs.
He remains on the Flushing Meadows entry list for now with the US Open set to get underway on August 29 and the final scheduled for September 11.
Legend John McEnroe has described the rules keeping Djokovic out as a ‘joke’
Legend McEnroe said: ‘I don’t think it’s fair. I think it’s a joke.
‘I would have had the vaccine and gone and played but he’s got very strong beliefs and you have to respect that.
‘At this point, in the pandemic, we’re two-and-a-half years in, I think people in all parts of the world know about it, and the idea that he can’t travel here to play, to me, is a joke.’
Djokovic said last month on the matter: ‘It’s not the end of the world. I feel young in my own skin and like I have many more years to come so there will be a lot of opportunities.’
The Covid rules set out by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state a non-US citizen must ‘show proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19’ if travelling by air from a foreign country.
The CDC relaxed some of its restrictions earlier this month and hinted further allowances could be made in the weeks ahead, raising hopes Djokovic could compete in New York.
21-time Slam champions Djokovic poses with the US Open trophy after winning in 2015
However, time is fast running out for the Serb, who has already been unable to compete in the Cincinnati Open last week.
His absence in Melbourne allowed Rafael Nadal to move clear of Djokovic and Roger Federer by winning his 21st major trophy and the Spaniard made it 22 at the French Open.
However, Djokovic closed the gap when he triumphed at Wimbledon in July.
McEnroe added: ‘Who’s to say [Djokovic] can’t do it for another couple of years? It’s not impossible for him to win three or four more. He can still get to 25.’
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