Blazing intensity helped Novak Djokovic capture his seventh Wimbledon championship last month.
Goran Ivanisevic suggests there's barely a flicker of hope the 21-time Grand Slam champion will be permitted to play the US Open.
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Djokovic, who is unvaccinated and says he has no plans of taking the jab, would not be permitted entry into the United States under current regulations requiring foreign visitors to the States to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
Ivanisevic, Djokovic's coach, says there's "zero hope" the U.S. government will ease restrictions and permit Djokovic entry.
“There is always hope,” Ivanisevic told La Repubblica. “Novak will do everything to be there, maybe he will get a special visa. But there are only two weeks.
“And, personally, I have zero hope that [President] Biden will change the rules before the tournament starts.”
The US Open starts on Monday, August 29th.
Former Wimbledon winner Ivanisevic said the current U.S. regulations for foreign travellers are contradictory.
“For me it is all nonsense and bull****,” Ivanisevic said. “If you are vaccinated but positive you can enter the United States. If you are not vaccinated but negative, you are banned.
"There is too much politics in sports.”
Photo credit: Goran Ivanisevic Instagram