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The world No. 1 Serbian tennis star was denied entry into the United States due to him being unvaccinated against COVID-19, forcing him to withdraw from the BNP Paribas Open, which starts Wednesday in Indian Wells, Ca.
Djokovic had requested a vaccine waiver, but was denied by Homeland Security.
It’s not the first time that Djokovic has been forced out of competition due to his vaccination status.
The 35-year-old was forced to withdraw from the 2022 Australian Open after arriving in Melbourne, first having his visa cancelled and then being deported out of the country.
Djokovic also did not play in the 2022 U.S. Open, which Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz ended up winning.
The BNP Paribas tournament announced his withdrawal on Sunday night.
Play in the combined ATP-WTA event at Indian Wells Tennis Garden and runs through March 19.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said on Twitter that Homeland Security had rejected Djokovic’s vaccine waiver request, which would have allowed him to play back-to-back at Indian Wells and Miami, which runs March 19-April 2.
originally posted by: ChaoticOrder
a reply to: Mahogany
Wow what a ridiculous take. Australia may have prevented him from playing in 2022 but we let him back in to play this year and he won the Australian Open. Surprise surprise. I bet the US doesn't want the same thing happening so they blocked his entry even though there is basically no logical reason to prevent him playing at this point in time.
originally posted by: Mahogany
All countries have a list of vaccines needed to enter. If he had to get a polio vaccine and he refused, it would be the same deal. Countries don't make exceptions based on someone's fame or athletic ability.
He's very well aware of this and will use the time to get ready for Monte Carlo.
He's an amazing player, always a pleasure to watch, but he's a stubborn Serbian, a nation that's always 20 years behind everyone else. It will take the Serbs so long to join Europe just because they're so stubborn about things they will eventually have to agree with... like vaccines, or voting rights.
originally posted by: Shar_Chi
Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest role models on this planet right now... Say no to biofascism, say yes to life. Champion of champions.
originally posted by: ancientlight
a reply to: Asmodeus3
Only obedience is tolerated and disobedience punished. This has nothing to do with any 'vaccines' or preventing any transmission of 'covid'.
originally posted by: Mahogany
All countries have a list of vaccines needed to enter.
If he had to get a polio vaccine and he refused, it would be the same deal. Countries don't make exceptions based on someone's fame or athletic ability.
originally posted by: tanstaafl
originally posted by: Mahogany
All countries have a list of vaccines needed to enter.
In the last 8 years my family has traveled to India (3 times about 8 years ago), Amsterdam and Ukraine (about 5 years ago), and never once were we asked to show any proof of jabs at all. Admittedly this was before the emergence of the Branch-Covidian cult.
If he had to get a polio vaccine and he refused, it would be the same deal. Countries don't make exceptions based on someone's fame or athletic ability.
So you are fully supportive of fake/anti-science narratives being used to force people into injecting deadly toxic compounds into their bodies in order to just live their lives.
Got it.
originally posted by: Mahogany
All countries have a list of vaccines needed to enter. If he had to get a polio vaccine and he refused, it would be the same deal. Countries don't make exceptions based on someone's fame or athletic ability.
He's very well aware of this and will use the time to get ready for Monte Carlo.
He's an amazing player, always a pleasure to watch, but he's a stubborn Serbian, a nation that's always 20 years behind everyone else. It will take the Serbs so long to join Europe just because they're so stubborn about things they will eventually have to agree with... like vaccines, or voting rights.
originally posted by: Dizle81
They just want to deny him his number 1 spot at the top to be one of the greatest.(he is still number 1 though)
This man has been working hard to be one of the greatest in tennis for the last 2 decades, but he is missing tournaments because of the covid rules worldwide.
It was between him Nadal and Federer most of the time, but they are screwing him over the last few years while he still can playing tennis,just because of his opinions stay strong Djokovic your still number 1!
originally posted by: Mahogany
All countries have a list of vaccines needed to enter. If he had to get a polio vaccine and he refused, it would be the same deal. Countries don't make exceptions based on someone's fame or athletic ability.
He's very well aware of this and will use the time to get ready for Monte Carlo.
He's an amazing player, always a pleasure to watch, but he's a stubborn Serbian, a nation that's always 20 years behind everyone else. It will take the Serbs so long to join Europe just because they're so stubborn about things they will eventually have to agree with... like vaccines, or voting rights.