‘It’s stupid’ and ‘a joke’ that Novak Djokovic still barred from US Open declares John McEnroe
John McEnroe has hammered home how ludicrous he feels it is that Novak Djokovic is not allowed into the country to compete at this year’s US Open.
As things stand, unvaccinated non-US citizens are still not able to enter the US despite the CDC shifting its guidance on unvaccinated individuals to align with those who are vaccinated against Covid-19.
However, Djokovic remains on the entry list for the US Open as he waits and hopes those rules change, and is permitted to stay there until the last moment before the tournament is forced to adjust the draw should he withdraw on the ground of not being able to participate.
“I think it’s stupid that they don’t let him play,” McEnroe told Marca from New York. “It’s the closest thing to a joke. I would have been vaccinated instead, but you have to respect their way of thinking. We have been living with the pandemic for two and a half years and I consider it a joke that they won’t allow him to participate.”
With Djokovic not competing in Melbourne at the Australian Open and potentially New York, McEnroe pointed out that his great rival Rafael Nadal is the man who benefits most as he looks to claim a 23rd Major title.
“What is evident is that when Djokovic is not there, the great beneficiary is Nadal,” he continued. “[Nadal] produced a miraculous victory at the Australian Open and the Serbian was the favourite there having won nine titles.
“It is true that Djokovic is younger and it seems that his body responds to him and he has no injuries. He can reach 25 majors, but addition to the tennis part you have to add the mental aspect.
“It is not easy to train without knowing when or what you will be able to play on your planned schedule. It took him four months to get his head back after everything that happened to him in Australia in January.”
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