Senator sends letter to try and help Novak Djokovic play at US Open

Sep 12, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia is introduced before playing Daniil Medvedev of Russia in the men’s singles final on day fourteen of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Novak Djokovic remains ineligible to compete in the US Open later this month due to his COVID-19 vaccination status, and the 21-time grand slam champion recently received a big show of support from one United States senator.

US Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) wrote a letter last week demanding answers regarding why Djokovic will not be allowed to play in the US Open. The letter, which was addressed to CDC Director Rochelle Wolensky, accuses Joe Biden’s administration of wanting a “forever pandemic.” Blackburn also mentioned how illegal immigrants are allowed to enter the US without proof of vaccination, while Djokovic remains banned.

You can read the full letter at Outkick.

The US Open does not have a vaccine mandate. However, tournament organizers have chosen to “respect the U.S. government’s position regarding travel into the country for unvaccinated non-U.S. citizens.” Many people feel that policy is outdated and accomplishes nothing.

One of the reasons the vaccine mandate makes little sense is that an unvaccinated American tennis player would be permitted to compete in the US Open even if he or she traveled outside the country and then returned. The only requirement in such an instance would be a negative test. Since Djokovic is not a US citizen, he must be vaccinated.

Djokovic has no plans to get vaccinated before the US Open begins on Aug. 29. Unless there is a policy change, he will miss his second of four majors this year. Djokovic also had issues at the Australian Open and was forced to leave the country even after being granted an exemption.