American tennis legend John McEnroe thinks it is “stupid” not to allow Novak Djokovic to compete at the US Open just because of his vaccination status.
Djokovic, 35, hasn’t taken the vaccine and that’s why he can’t enter the United States for the US Open.
“I think it’s stupid that they don’t let him play,” McEnroe told Marca, via Tennis365. “It’s the closest thing to a joke. I would have been vaccinated instead, but you have to respect their way of thinking. We have been living with the pandemic for two and a half years and I consider it a joke that they won’t allow him to participate.”
McEnroe: With Djokovic out, Rafael Nadal benefits
At the start of the season, Djokovic was denied participation at the Australian Open.
Nadal took the advantage and at the time won a record 21st Grand Slam title.
With Djokovic now likely missing out on the US Open, Nadal’s chances of winning it all at Flushing Meadows increase.
“What is evident is that when Djokovic is not there, the great beneficiary is Nadal. He produced a miraculous victory at the Australian Open and the Serbian was the favourite there having won nine titles,” McEnroe added. “It is true that Djokovic is younger and it seems that his body responds to him and he has no injuries. He can reach 25 majors, but addition to the tennis part you have to add the mental aspect. It is not easy to train without knowing when or what you will be able to play on your planned schedule. It took him four months to get his head back after everything that happened to him in Australia in January.”
Djokovic has missed one Grand Slam and four Masters tournaments this season – all because of his vaccination status.
Now, it seems very likely that Djokovic will miss out on his second Grand Slam in 2022.