Unvaccinated, 21-Time Grand Slam Champion Novak Djokovic Banned from US Open

By
David Rufful
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OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.

One of the top tennis players in the world, Novak Djokovic, is effectively banned from competing at the US Open because he does not want to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

A rule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently bans foreign nationals from entering the country who remain unvaccinated against COVID.

A young and healthy Djokovic, who has won 21 Grand Slam championships, announced to his fans, “Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open. Thank you #NoleFam for your messages of love and support.”

“Good luck to my fellow players!” the 35-year-old said. “I’ll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again. See you soon tennis world!”

Djokovic, who has an estimated net worth of $220 million, has been outspoken about the fact that he has a very specific diet well as his own personal doctor, Igor Cetojevic.

Dr. Cetojevic has been working with Djokovic since 2010. Djokovic follows a strict, clean health protocol and diet that incorporates biofeedback and quantum physics.

His diet avoids gluten, sugar and dairy. Djokovic says this provides his body significant relief from the tremendous strain of playing tennis at the professional level.

In response to pressure to get the new drug injected into his arm, Djokovic said, “I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.”

“I’m not vaccinated and I’m not planning to get vaccinated,” Djokovic said. “So the only good news I can have is them removing the mandated green vaccine card or whatever you call it to enter the United States or exemption.”

“I don’t think exemption is realistically possible,” he added. “I think it’s just whether or not they remove this in time for me to get to the USA.”

Srdjan Djokovic, who is the father of Novak Djokovic, has spoken out in the past after his son was detained at the board of Australia and denied entry ahead of the Australian Open.

Srdjan said his son is a symbol of the “free world” and that the Australian authorities were “mistreating” him because he’s a Serb. “Shame on them, the entire freedom-loving world should rise together with Serbia,” he continued. “They crucified Jesus, and now they are trying to crucify Novak the same way and force him on his knees,” he added.