Novak Djokovic is training hard for the US Open, although according to the current rules he cannot enter the United States as an unvaccinated person against covid. The Serbian champion is still hoping for a change, motivation is poured into his veins by many messages of support.
In the first half of the year, Djokovic was going through a difficult period mentally. He did not play in the Australian Open or major tournaments in America. As he himself revealed, he felt lonely and hated.
However, now, in connection with the affair surrounding the US Open, on the contrary, he is gaining more and more support from the public and tennis personalities.
“I wanted to tell you all how grateful I am for so many messages from all over the world, full of support and love, that I have been receiving these days,” Djokovic wrote on his social media on Saturday.
The 35-year-old native of Belgrade admitted that the wave of support was surprising to him.
“I didn’t expect this, it’s absolutely amazing for me. I can feel people wishing me to continue competing. Thank you again,” said the holder of twenty-one Grand Slam titles.
That is why Djokovic continues to prepare hard. He wants to be in the best possible shape if the rules do end up changing in his favor.
“I am preparing as if I could play. In the meantime, I will wait to see if there is an opportunity to travel to the USA. Fingers crossed,” he added.
The unvaccinated Serbian champion could not play the Australian Open this year. He traveled to Melbourne believing he had met the conditions for the exemption. But in the end, the local government banned him from starting. He was held in a detention facility and eventually deported.
Now Djokovic is in real danger of coming to the final Grand Slam of the season, the US Open in New York. According to the currently valid rules, travelers to the USA must be fully vaccinated, and must present the certificate before boarding the plane.
The tennis public loudly supports the native of Belgrade, and a petition with over 40,000 signatures is calling for a way to allow Djokovic to start.
“At this stage of the pandemic, there is absolutely no reason for Djokovic to be unable to play at the 2022 US Open. The US government and the USTA must work together to ensure that he can compete,” the petition states.
Among others, former player John McEnroe, an icon of American tennis, spoke in support of Djokovic’s start.
“I don’t agree with his decision not to get vaccinated. But I respect him. He’s one of the fittest people in the world and he’s very careful about what he puts in his body. And now we’re saying we’re going to punish him for his choice and we won’t play him at the US Open? Come on,” McEnroe fumed.
The US Open included Djokovic in the tournament entry list, but at the same time relinquished responsibility for the final decision.
“The US Open does not have an established vaccination requirement for players, but will respect the US government’s position regarding travel to the country for unvaccinated non-US citizens,” the tournament management informed.
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