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Novak Djokovic just won his eighth Wimbledon crown, but his ability to compete in this year’s US Open is currently in question because of his Covid-19 immunization status.
Novak Djokovic overcame Nick Kyrgios in the All England Club championship match final, but he also said after the match that he will forego vaccinations. Ben Rothenberg, a tennis writer, tweeted that Djokovic may play in Wimbledon as his final Grand Slam match of the year. According to Rothenberg, who referred to the Serb as the “anti-vax poster boy,” the US’s visa regulations prevent him from competing in the US Open. Jelena Djokovic, the tennis player’s wife, criticized the journalist and branded his account judgmentally.
“Unless there is a swift change in US immigration law, #Wimbledon US requires vaccination for foreigners to enter, and Djokovic has firmly said he has ruled out getting vaccinated, entrenching himself as an anti-vax poster boy”, wrote Rothenberg.
However, Jelena was quick to fire back.
Rothenberg responded to Jelena’s statement by referring to her husband as “a great icon of the anti-vax movement.” “I recognise that it is his choice, but I also want to point out that, whether he intended to or not, by choosing to be so adamantly opposed to vaccinations that it prevents him from competing in tournaments, he has become a great symbol of the anti-vax movement. I seen this in Australia with great clarity,” he wrote.
“You are fabricating a story that is really judgemental and serves your purposes. He is only making a decision that is best for his body. He is okay with not playing if that decision prevented him from doing so “Jelena went on to say.
In response to Rothenberg’s concluding statement that Djokovic had a “responsibility to behave responsibly with public health activities,” Jelena said, “I appreciate you giving your views. I hope they don’t cause you to be condemned. can turn into a symbol of prejudice and mistreatment. You can’t be sure. Please don’t consistently let down as an influential person. except when it is your job.”
Rafael Nadal, who won the Australian Open and French Open earlier this year to become the most successful men’s player of all time, is now only one Grand Slam title behind Novak Djokovic after Djokovic’s victory at Wimbledon. He said, “I’m not vaccinated and I don’t plan to get vaccinated, so the only good news I can have is their eliminating the compulsory green vaccine card or whatever you call it to enter the United States or exemption,” when questioned about playing in the US Open after winning Wimbledon.
“I’m not sure. Exemption, in my opinion, is not a realistic possibility. If that were to be the case, I’m not sure what the exemption would include. I’m not sure. I don’t really have many solutions there,” he continued.
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