CDC offers loss of life blow to Novak Djokovic’s probabilities of taking part in 2022 US Open with up to date journey pointers

Novak Djokovic’s final glimmering hopes of competing on the 2022 US Open have been dealt a loss of life blow after the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), the American public well being company, in its up to date pointers, didn’t again down on requiring international vacationers to be vaccinated towards the coronavirus.

The rules, printed on Thursday, make it clear that non-citizens coming into the USA of America (USA) have to be vaccinated earlier than boarding any flight to the nation.

“Non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants: You need to present proof of being totally vaccinated with the first sequence of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine earlier than you board your flight to the USA. Solely restricted exceptions apply,” the CDC mentioned on its web site.

This comes as an enormous blow to Djokovic’s probabilities of competing in New York. A couple of days in the past, the CDC eliminated the vaccine mandate for Americans, giving the Serbian and his followers hope that it’s going to quickly be prolonged to non-citizens too.

The 35-year-old has been the subject of dialogue ever because the Wimbledon Championships got here to an finish. His unwavering stance towards vaccinations and stringent American guidelines calling for obligatory vaccinations meant that this concern was at all times going to be stretched to the very finish.

Many fellow tennis professionals, notably People like Reilly Opelka, John Isner and Tennys Sandgren, have come out in public help of the Serb.

The problem additionally turned wildly political, with distinguished American anti-vaxxers backing the 22-time Grand Slam champion and utilizing the chance to slam the US authorities.

“A tennis event and a particular participant received’t dictate govt coverage” – Andy Roddick on American guidelines barring Novak Djokovic from 2022 US Open

Whereas a number of followers, pundits, politicians and gamers sided both with Novak Djokovic or the US authorities’s guidelines, Andy Roddick on Tuesday gave a measured tackle the state of affairs. He acknowledged that no participant or event will dictate authorities coverage, referring to the Serbian’s ongoing battle to participate within the 2022 US Open.

He tweeted his ideas after a fan acknowledged that the previous World No. 1 would by no means publicly help Djokovic.

“Most likely true. I believe he ought to be capable of play, however spamming all issues US Open is ineffective. Throwing your toys throughout twitterverse received’t change the govt. coverage.A tennis event, and a particular participant received’t dictate govt coverage. You might be mad at me for fundamental info if wanted,” he wrote.

That mentioned, the Serbian himself appears resigned to the truth that he’ll miss a second Main this 12 months, after being pressured to skip the Australian Open in January. The three-time US Open champion often releases his schedule on his web site properly forward of time however has not listed the US Open at the moment.

“There are not any scheduled occasions at this second,” Djokovic’s official web site says.