"Completely lunacy he can't compete as of now" - John Isner on Novak Djokovic missing 2022 US Open
John Isner recently made clear his feelings about the ongoing saga of Novak Djokovic and his possible exclusion from the 2022 US Open. As things stand, Djokovic will miss the final Grand Slam of the year as he continues to remain unvaccinated against COVID-19.
While some fans have shown little sympathy towards the Serb, there are many others who believe he deserves to take part in the US Open. There have been several fiery debates about this topic on social media ever since the conclusion of Wimbledon.
While most fellow players either support the vaccine or choose to stay quiet on the issue, there have been a few that have sided with Djokovic. Responding to a tweet that wondered if fellow players were standing with the Serb, Isner threw his support behind the 21-time Major champion.
"Are there any active tennis players urging the U.S. to let @DjokerNole plat or nah?" the tweet read.
Are there any active tennis players urging the U.S. to let @DjokerNole play or nah?
"Yes. Completely lunacy he can't compete as of now. #science," Isner said in response.
@SethDillon @DjokerNole Yes. Complete lunacy he can’t compete as of now. #science
Djokovic will not be able to compete at the upcoming US Open under the current rules. The country's administration require foreign travelers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter its borders.
The Serb also made it clear after his Wimbledon success that he had no plans to get the COVID-19 vaccination and that he would not be competing in the US Open unless the restrictions were lifted.
"I am not vaccinated and I'm not planning to get vaccinated," Djokovic said. "So the only good news I can have is them removing the mandated green vaccine card or whatever you call it to enter United States or exemption."
"I don't think exemption is realistically possible. If that is possibility, I don't know what exemption would be about. I don't know. I don't have much answers there," he added.
Coach Goran Ivanisevic unsure of Novak Djokovic's US Open participation
Despite the possible exclusion from the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, Novak Djokovic continues to train hard. He is pinning his hopes on either getting an exemption or the US changing its rules.
However, his coach Goran Ivanisevic believes that Djokovic's chances of making an appearance in the tournament are slim. Over the course of a chat with Telegraf.rs, Ivanisevic quipped that there was a greater possibility of him getting a wildcard to Umag and winning the Croatia Open than the US Government backing down and allowing Djokovic to play in New York.
"I don't know about the US Open, it's difficult for me. I am more optimistic that director Tomislav Poljak will give me an invitation and that I will win Umag, than that they will let him go to the US Open. As a country, they are closed to the unvaccinated, for now he cannot enter the country," Ivanisevic stated.
Also Checkout:- US Open 2022 Results