Novak Djokovic hits out at United States authorities over ‘illogical’ rule

Novak Djokovic says he finds it “illogical” that unvaccinated Americans can compete at the US Open but unvaccinated players from outside the United States cannot.

Djokovic hasn’t been vaccinated against COVID-19, and as it stands now, he won’t be allowed to enter the United States for the US Open.

Tennys Sandgren, an American player who also hasn’t been vaccinated against COVID-19, will be allowed to compete at the tournament.

“On a more serious note, I have been texting with Tennys Sandgren a few days ago,” Djokovic told Tennis Majors. “I wanted to thank him for the public support he has given me in this situation. What he said makes total sense – if unvaccinated players are not allowed to compete at the US Open, then it should be the case for everyone. I don’t see the medical logic behind it, that Tennys can play because he is a citizen of the USA, and I cannot. If I had a US passport or a green card, I would be able to play. Maybe there is a political logic behind it – not medical – but I would rather not get into that and you can understand why.”

Djokovic: I definitely want to play the US Open

Earlier this year, Djokovic missed out on the Australian Open.

Now, he is in danger of missing out on the US Open as well.

Djokovic, who turned 35 this past May, underlined that Grand Slams are his priority at this stage of his career.

“Grand Slams are tournaments that are my priority at this stage of my career and of course I want to play in New York,” he added. “On the other hand, if I do not get a chance to do so, it is not the end of the world, we will look ahead. But right now, I am completely focused on Wimbledon.”

Rafael Nadal won the opening two Grand Slams of the season so he now owns a record 22 Grand Slams, while Djokovic is tied with Roger Federer at the second place with 20 Majors.