Coach Goran Ivanisevic has slammed the pending US ban which will keep Novak Djokovic away from the US Open.
The Croat 2002 Wimbledon winner admitted the final Grand Slam of the season is a lost cause for his client, who is aggressively anti-vaxx and has vowed never to take the COVID jab.
As a result, the Serb will be banned from entry into Canada and the US, both of which prohibit no-jabbed foreigners from crossing their borders.
The seventh-ranked Djokovic, detained and deported in January from Australia over vaccine issues, will therefore miss Masters 1000 earning opportunities in Montreal and Cincinnati along with the Open.
“The United States as a country is inflexible to this type of situation,” Ivanisevic told a Balkan media outlet.
“It prohibits unvaccinated people from entering the country. The tournament itself does not pose problems of any kind, but the country’s policy is what rules in this type of situation.”
The former player added: “I respect and appreciate his (no-vaxx) decision. He decided to do that and he is not going to change.
“It was inevitable that there were people who claim Novak has become the leader of the anti-vaccines.
“He was not influencing anyone at all. He just did not want to be vaccinated.
“I respect and support their decision. We’ve been terrorized by these things for two and a half years.
“When you’re infected with coronavirus they treat you like you have scabies. They kick you and your whole team out. We felt like we were on the wall of shame… “.
Main photo:- Novak Djokovic (SRB) celebrates with coach Goran Ivanisevic after he wins Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final 2022
Photo Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
