HepisopingNovak Djokovic is poised to overlook the US Open subsequent month except the world No. 7 modifications his stance and will get a Covid vaccination. On Wednesday america Tennis Affiliation confirmed that it will not search particular compensation for Djokovic, respecting the federal authorities mandate barring entry for all non-US residents who haven’t been vaccinated.
It will mark the second Gram Slam of 2022 that Djokovic has missed because of his vaccination standing, together with the Australian Open which prompted furor again in January when the reigning champion lied about his vaccination standing on border management paperwork, earlier than being deported and barred from re-entry for 3 years.
Whereas Djokovic has had current success, most notably successful Wimbledon earlier this month, even that occasion had an asterisk connected. World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev was blocked from competing as a result of match’s ban on Russian athletes, and Medvedev beat Djokovic on the Dubai Open in February to assert the No. 1 spot. In some ways the US Open set the stage to actually settle the “greatest on the earth” argument between the 2 — now that received’t occur.
Actually, when it comes all the way down to it, forgive the pun, however the ball is in Djokovic’s court docket. He’s remained resolute that he is not going to obtain a Covid vaccination. Citing dangerous science, conspiracy idea about infertility, he stays hellbent on arguing that he’s immune because of beforehand contracting the virus. This comes regardless of mountains of proof that the Omicron BA.5 variant, at present main the world in infections, is immune-evasive — which has led to a proliferation in reinfections.
With each the US Open and Djokovic digging of their heels, all indicators level to him lacking the Grand Slam this yr. The match is just not following in Wimbledon’s footsteps, as a substitute permitting Russian gamers to compete — successfully making this Medvedev’s match to lose within the males’s draw.
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