‘It’s not fair, it’s a joke!’ – Fuming John McEnroe slams decision to ban unvaccinated Novak Djokovic from US Open
JOHN McENROE reckons it will be a “joke” if unvaccinated Novak Djokovic is barred from playing next week’s US Open.
Serb legend Djok is a major doubt for Flushing Meadows with US rules prohibiting entry to people who have not been vaccinated against Covid.
The 21-time Grand sSam winner was deported from Australia in January and missed the Aussie Open for similar reasons.
And four-time US Open winner McEnroe, 63, is furious Djokovic may be barred from entering the land of the free seven months later.
He blasted: “It’s not fair. It’s a joke.
“I would have had the vaccine and played but he’s got very strong beliefs and you have to respect those.
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“At this point in the pandemic, we’re two and a half years in, people in all parts of the world know more about it.
“The idea he can’t travel here to play is a joke.”
Djokovic said last month “it is not the end of the world” if he is refused special permission to play.
The 35-year-old explained: “I feel young in my own skin and like I have many more years to come so there will be a lot more opportunities.”
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But with Djok chasing Rafa Nadal’s 22-Slam record, McEnroe says the mental impact of not knowing whether he can play is hampering the three-time US Open champ’s chances of catching the Spaniard.
The American added: “Training this past month or six weeks not knowing whether he’s going to play, that’s going to put a strain on you mentally.
“Just as it was when he got thrown out of Australia.
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“It took him three or four months to get his head right.”
McEnroe added: “Who’s to say [Djokovic] can’t do it for another couple of years?
“It’s not impossible for him to win three or four more. He can still get to 25.”