US Open: John McEnroe, a four-time US Open champion, said it would be “a joke” if Novak Djokovic couldn’t play in the year’s final Grand Slam starting later this month because of his Covid vaccination status.
Due to existing US regulations that demand travellers to provide confirmation of complete vaccination to board flights to and enter the United States, Djokovic has declined to have the shot and looks to be missing out.
The Serbian previously declared he was ready to skip Grand Slam competitions where competitors must receive the Covid vaccine. Djokovic is still listed as a competitor for the New York tournament that runs from August 29 to September 11.
“I don’t think it’s fair,” McEnroe told reporters on Tuesday. “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 more about it, and the idea that he can’t travel here to play, to me is a joke.”
