Tennis legend John McEnroe says the likelihood that Novak Djokovic won’t be able to play at next week’s US Open is “a joke.”
Current guidelines from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prevent unvaccinated foreigners from entering the country. Djokovic has been steadfast in his opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine.
The world No.6 hasn’t played since he beat Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final, with travel restrictions also keeping him out of major US hardcourt tournaments throughout August.
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“No, I don’t think it’s fair. I think it’s a joke,” McEnroe said.
“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.”
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Unless there’s a last minute change from the CDC, Djokovic will be forced to miss his second grand slam of 2022, after he was deported from Melbourne in January.
In his absence, Rafael Nadal has moved to 22 grand slam titles, one clear of Djokovic and two ahead of Roger Federer.
“Obviously, Rafa Nadal has benefited from that,” McEnroe said.
“These three guys are already above everyone else. So, it makes it extremely interesting to see these two go at it and then you think of Roger Federer but he’s been hurt for a while.”
McEnroe still believes the 35-year-old Djokovic can add to his 21 titles, but noted that missing slams is having a long-term impact on the Serbian.
“Who’s to say [Djokovic] can’t do it for another couple of years?” McEnroe said.
“Let’s say that he wins three or four more. That’s not impossible, by any means. Despite this, he can still get to 25. I think it’s made it more complicated to do it because that has to wear on you mentally.
“Training this past month or six weeks not knowing whether he’s going to play, that’s going to put a strain on you mentally just as it was when he got thrown out of Australia. I think it took him three, four months to get his head right.”
Djokovic is yet to officially withdraw from the US Open, which tennis writer Ben Rothenberg has noted is having a major impact on struggling players much further down the rankings.
Had Djokovic withdrawn prior to qualifying commencing, Spanish player Pol Martin Tiffon, who’s ranked 242 in the world, would have earned direct entry into the qualifying tournament.
The $30,000 prizemoney for simply making qualifying would have almost doubled Tiffon’s 2022 earnings of just over $36,000.
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