Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in motion whereas taking part in an exhibition match in opposition to Croatia’s Ivan Dodig in Visoko, Bosnia, Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Armin Durgut, Related Press
As the beginning of the U.S. Open rapidly approaches, unvaccinated celebrity Novak Djokovic continues to be ready to listen to if he’ll be allowed to play. The legislation at present requires international vacationers to point out proof of COVID-19 vaccination, an impediment that even the athletically gifted Djokovic is unable to clear.
However there’s nonetheless time for public well being guidelines to vary. This week, U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, a Republican from New York, urged President Joe Biden to permit Djokovic and different unvaccinated tennis gamers to enter the nation.
“Regardless that a number of People who're unvaccinated will participate within the (U.S. Open) this yr, outstanding gamers from around the globe, together with Novak Djokovic, will be unable to take part as a result of COVID-19 vaccine mandate,” she wrote in a letter to Biden, which she shared on Twitter. “I strongly urge you to concern Nationwide Curiosity Exemptions for unvaccinated members of the Affiliation of Tennis Professionals.”
In a follow-up tweet, Tenney accused the president of caring extra about political battles than public well being.
“President Biden’s unscientific vaccine mandate on worldwide journey is about management & politics, not public well being,” she stated.
Djokovic has already missed a number of tournaments this yr due to his unvaccinated standing, together with, most notably, the Australian Open. The previous world no. 1 was deported from Australia round 24 hours earlier than he was slated to start his first match, as The Washington Put up reported on the time.
Simply this week, 35-year-old tennis participant needed to drop out of a Montreal match as a result of Canada’s vaccination guidelines. “Canada at present requires vacationers to have at the least two doses of the vaccine to enter the nation,” Sports activities Illustrated reported.
Nonetheless, Djokovic has not but admitted defeat in his battle to play within the U.S. Open, which kicks off on August 29 in New York Metropolis. He just lately posted a video on Instagram of himself coaching for the match.
“I'm getting ready as if I will probably be allowed to compete, whereas I await to listen to if there may be any room for me to journey to US. Fingers crossed!,” he stated within the caption.