“It is long past any scientific reasoning!” – Novak Djokovic’s denied exemption to enter USA triggers fans who berate Joe Biden’s goverment
Novak Djokovic will not be able to play at the sunshine doubles for second time in a row.
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Novak Djokovic (Image Credit: NBC News)
Novak Djokovic was hoping like Federal Government of Australia gave him exemption to participate in the Australian Open this year despite no change in his vaccination status against Covid-19 from last year; US authorities will also budge on this issue. However, this did not happen. US agencies have decided to not waive off its double vaccination policy against Covid-19 for foreign players.
This means that the 22-time Grand Slam champion would not be able to participate in the sunshine doubles; i.e., the Indian Wells Open and the Miami Open, which are scheduled to be held in the months of March and April this year. This is the second time in the last two seasons when the Serb will not be playing in these prestigious tournaments.
US Senator from Florida Rick Scott shared this news on social media. He has also appealed to US President Joe Biden to interfere in this matter and provide exemptions for Novak Djokovic.
? BREAKING: We have been told that @DHSgov just denied @DjokerNole's vaccine waiver request, making him ineligible to compete in the US next week in CA & in the @MiamiOpen. @JoeBiden must fix this NOW, grant the waiver & allow him to compete here in the states. https://t.co/TSD10yM8u6
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) March 3, 2023
Novak Djokovic may try to appeal against this decision. However, he does not have much time left for it as the Indian Wells Open is scheduled to start on March 6, 2023.
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Social media is in support of letting Novak Djokovic play in USA
After his dominant performance at the Australian Open, many tennis fans, legends and even critics had in one voice shouted for letting Novak Djokovic play in the US Open. Indian Wells Open tournament director Tommy Haas and American tennis legend John McEnroe both recently supported the Serbian’s bid to play in the USA.
“It would be absurd if he couldn’t play Indian Wells or Miami or any other tournament in the U.S. I have had my vaccines, I respect that he’s chosen not to do it. I would’ve done it, but that’s a whole other issue. He played [the U.S. Open] in 2021 and then wasn’t allowed to play in 2022, someone explains that to me. And now he’s still not permitted to play, I mean it’s absurd,” Mr. McEnroe had remarked.
The USA is a hotbed of tennis and many prestigious tennis tournaments are scheduled and organized every year on this land. These tournaments include Indian Wells Open, Miami Open, Washington Open, Hall of Fame Open, etc. The last Grand Slam of the season, the US Open, is also organized in the months of August-September every year.
Tennis fans fear, like last year, Novak Djokovic may have to forfeit his chances to participate in all these tournaments. Many social media users are lending their support to the 35-year-old to play in the sunshine doubles. Many are also criticizing the US Governement for making such rules. Here are a few reactions that came in.
Fix this now.
— ₳urel ?? (@luluphoenix) March 4, 2023
All mandates should be lifted. This is cherry picking and favoritism.
— We are all Trolling ? (@WeGovernUSA) March 4, 2023
What is the logic with this mandate americans can compete if they are unvaccinated but foreigners don’t. Do they get a different kind of covid ? @POTUS
— Rodcap (@capetillo16) March 4, 2023
The US needs to drop the vaccine mandate completely.
— Kai Bennetti (@kaibennetti) March 4, 2023
Are they kidding? Jeez let him play!
— thomas avazian (@avaziant) March 4, 2023
EFF the waiver. Drop the mandate. It is long past any scientific reasoning!
— macktortuga (@macktortuga) March 4, 2023
@thetennistalk1 Guess Djokovic can't play IW or Miami 🙁
— Tushar Singh (@Tushar001Singh) March 4, 2023
Why doesn’t Florida step up and let him play? DHS is not an elected body.
— Lucas Monahan ?? (@lucky_fella_15) March 4, 2023
Lordy just drop the silly mandates.
— Beth (@8simon9) March 4, 2023
Vaxx entry requirement needs to be dropped across the board not just for @DjokerNole but I feel for him and stand with him
— dave laing (@clan_slim) March 4, 2023
Why is there still a vaccine mandate in the US ?
— Ares (@Kavala88) March 4, 2023
It is their loss. We continue to enjoy the clay season. Won't be watching Miami and IW, instead will watch any previous matches of #Djokovic
— #23 Loading ? ? ??? (@mpshe_shamai) March 4, 2023
How do the players feel about it?
— Frankee_Fee$h (@Frankee_Fooz_ee) March 4, 2023
Let him play!
— Robert J. Thomas (@RobertJThomas1) March 4, 2023
SHAME ON THE US!!!!!
— El Gran Dictador (@ElGranDictador6) March 4, 2023
So if he had gotten the jab three years ago, he’d be allowed to play? Makes absolutely ZERO sense. By now, pretty much everyone has had COVID 2-3x whether jabbed or not and it’s clear the shot did nothing to prevent transmission. Lift the absurd mandates and let him play.
— Zack Larson (@ZDL5252) March 4, 2023
Can't really believe what I'm reading… In the name of God let this young man enter United States number one tennis player in the world probably healthier than anybody in Washington making the decision give me a break already
— FLORIDA EAST (@BeachesEastCo) March 4, 2023
Novak Djokovic may lose an opportunity to win important ranking points, if he misses out on playing in important tournaments in the USA. This will have a severe and negative impact on his rankings. He is the current World No.1 but can soon watch himself being dethroned from that position by April.
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Abhar Indorkar
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