Novak Djokovic's Vaccine Stance & Visa Troubles
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Moxie
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My point is that you are questioning the rationale behind the policy. It's your right, I'm just saying that arguing it doesn't change it. It is true that there seemed to be some confusion in Australia as to if Victoria state had the right to exempt Novak.
Of course it doesn't change it---but the absurdity of the policy---particularly where well under 50% of the US population is fully vaxed (not to mentioned boosted)--has frustrated many and makes the US look foolish---that's why many fellow tennis players and commentators have called for him to be admitted. Again, none of that will amount to anything on a practical basis.....
MargaretMcAleer
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What has that post got to do with Novak and his vaccination stance and Visa trloubles BTW?
Moxie
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Actually, 79% of the US population has been vaccinated, 67% considered fully vaccinated, so that is rather more than 50%, not "well under." 32% boosted, so maybe that's what you were reading. I won't disagree that the US has looked mad-foolish in the way Covid has been handled here, especially early on, as Trump kept trying to make it about him and his election, putting us way behind in terms of dealing with it. Which then created the red/blue divide on how to think about it. But people DO get vaccinated here. I'd be curious about the "many" fellow tennis players and commentators, etc., who think Djokovic should be let in to play. I think so far we have McEnroe. Who else? But I do agree with you that is dumb to leave off the testing and just rely on the vaccine.
Moxie
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This from Jon Wertheim's Mailbag at Sports Illustrated:
1) Denying entry to unvaccinated non-citizens, is not USTA policy, much less a policy aimed at Djokovic specifically. It is federal government policy that the USTA has chosen to follow without pushback.
2) We have already gotten a vivid illustration re: what chaos and no-one-comes-out-looking-good morass can occur when a tennis tournament opposes a government. You can hardly blame the USTA for avoiding the Australian Open fiasco. The USTA has essentially said, “Whatever you guys tell us to do, we ain’t gonna fight it.”
3) Read the policy and there are exceptions for unvaccinated non-citizens. A pro tennis player—even an accomplished one—would not seem to fit those categories, prima facie. The USTA, moreover, has explicitly said that it will not seek exception or exemption for any player.
4) Give some credit to Djokovic on this point: he is aware of the policy, he has made a decision; he is prepared to deal with the consequences; he is not lobbying for special treatment. Comparing Djokovic to Muhammad Ali makes for a risibly awful hot take. But it ought to be mentioned that Djokovic is not martyring himself. It’s his fans doing that on his behalf.
5) Does it make sense that Djokovic could he play in 2020 and 2021 and cannot in 2022? Or that unvaccinated Tennys Sandgren can play while Djokovic cannot? On its face, no. But inconsistency is a way of a life. Especially in a pandemic, where targets and data are moving.
6) It’s late July. Policy can change. Djokovic’s stance can change. Both are unlikely. To invoke the great sports cliche, it is what it is. The policy—again, government policy, not USTA policy—is X. Djokovic’s stance is Y. The consequence is Z.
So it goes.
7) I cannot recall a player (athlete?) as polarizing and magnetizing as Djokovic. Can we all agree that is a remarkable fact pattern. Here is a generationally great player, on the threshold of history, age 35. And he might miss two Majors this year, not because of injury or illness but because of volitional decision. Some of you will say “If he just received one vaccination that billions of people worldwide received—not because they necessarily wanted it, but because there was a collective responsibility—and we wouldn’t be here.” Others will say “Good for him for sticking with his convictions.” Can we all pause and simply marvel that for all the permutations and combinations we factored into the GOAT race, who saw this coming?
Mailbag
There were a lot of questions and social media chatter about Novak Djokovic and his U.S. Open status. Let’s avoid litigating Covid protocol, its logic and ill-logic. Let’s avoid a semantic discussion about anti-vax and pro-choice and anti-science. Let’s resist the easy play of turning this into a referendum on Djokovic versus the USTA, as John McEnroe—who, of all people, ought to know better—seems to have done. Just a few factual points:1) Denying entry to unvaccinated non-citizens, is not USTA policy, much less a policy aimed at Djokovic specifically. It is federal government policy that the USTA has chosen to follow without pushback.
2) We have already gotten a vivid illustration re: what chaos and no-one-comes-out-looking-good morass can occur when a tennis tournament opposes a government. You can hardly blame the USTA for avoiding the Australian Open fiasco. The USTA has essentially said, “Whatever you guys tell us to do, we ain’t gonna fight it.”
3) Read the policy and there are exceptions for unvaccinated non-citizens. A pro tennis player—even an accomplished one—would not seem to fit those categories, prima facie. The USTA, moreover, has explicitly said that it will not seek exception or exemption for any player.
4) Give some credit to Djokovic on this point: he is aware of the policy, he has made a decision; he is prepared to deal with the consequences; he is not lobbying for special treatment. Comparing Djokovic to Muhammad Ali makes for a risibly awful hot take. But it ought to be mentioned that Djokovic is not martyring himself. It’s his fans doing that on his behalf.
5) Does it make sense that Djokovic could he play in 2020 and 2021 and cannot in 2022? Or that unvaccinated Tennys Sandgren can play while Djokovic cannot? On its face, no. But inconsistency is a way of a life. Especially in a pandemic, where targets and data are moving.
6) It’s late July. Policy can change. Djokovic’s stance can change. Both are unlikely. To invoke the great sports cliche, it is what it is. The policy—again, government policy, not USTA policy—is X. Djokovic’s stance is Y. The consequence is Z.
So it goes.
7) I cannot recall a player (athlete?) as polarizing and magnetizing as Djokovic. Can we all agree that is a remarkable fact pattern. Here is a generationally great player, on the threshold of history, age 35. And he might miss two Majors this year, not because of injury or illness but because of volitional decision. Some of you will say “If he just received one vaccination that billions of people worldwide received—not because they necessarily wanted it, but because there was a collective responsibility—and we wouldn’t be here.” Others will say “Good for him for sticking with his convictions.” Can we all pause and simply marvel that for all the permutations and combinations we factored into the GOAT race, who saw this coming?
I don't use twitter much, but browsed a little today & yesterday. Some Novax fans are still going on about Australia 
Nadal has missed 3 of the last 5 slams due to injury that's bad luck. Djokovic has missed 1 of the last 10? Because of a personal choice, yet his fans make out he is extremely hard done by
Nadal has missed 3 of the last 5 slams due to injury that's bad luck. Djokovic has missed 1 of the last 10? Because of a personal choice, yet his fans make out he is extremely hard done by
Fiero425
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Hypcrisy here? Where was this soft spot for Novak Djokovic who's been excluded for a lot more events including 2 Majors & 4 Masters!
MargaretMcAleer
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That was his decision not to get vaccinated.......the Real and Correct reason he could not play at those tournaments, moving on LOL!Hypcrisy here? Where was this soft spot for Novak Djokovic who's been excluded for a lot more events including 2 Majors & 4 Masters!
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Hypcrisy here? Where was this soft spot for Novak Djokovic who's been excluded for a lot more events including 2 Majors & 4 Masters!
2 Majors? He missed Australia. Did he also miss Roland Garros? I can't remember 100% but I'm sure he played RG?
Fiero425
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2 Majors? He missed Australia. Did he also miss Roland Garros? I can't remember 100% but I'm sure he played RG?
So far The US has forbidden Novak entry into the country to play the USO or Masters even though he played last year to attempt a CYGS!
MargaretMcAleer
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Because Novak is not allowed into the USA because he is NOT Vaccinated.....stop playing the Victim Card!So far The US has forbidden Novak entry into the country to play the USO or Masters even though he played last year to attempt a CYGS!
Novak is not playing this tournament in Montreal due to him not being vaccinated? lets discuss players that are playing in Montreal I am Over Discussing Novak and his Vaccination Issues, there is a post for that go there and discuss it.
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For someone "over" talking about Novak/vaccination issues, you sure did a lot of it on this thread! Here's the bottom line: Novak made his choice and has to live by it--100% At the same time, his situation has brought up the absurdity of the US policy---it used to be (last US OPEN) you had to have a negative test which makes the most sense; having been vaccinated (the current policy) doesn't mean you're negative . We've actually moved in the opposite direction as the disease has become more manageable .....
Fiero425
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People just like to mouth off! You have to ignore them like me! If I really cared what they thought I'd reply, but I've found it t/b worthless even trying!
MargaretMcAleer
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It wasnt me that brought this up again if was Fiero425 who made a comment to Moxie on the Montreal post
Also another poster responded to Fiero425 comments and backed up my comments????
Fact remains the Reason Novak was not allowed to play in those tournament and countries is he Is Not Vaccinated
When Novak fans actually accept this we can All Move On...Okay End Of Story.
As I work in ICU with COVID patients I can assure you this disease is Far From Manageable!!! Countries like the UK and Europe it has got out of hand again
I am over talking about it Period.
At least Don Fabio a reasonable and balanced Novak fan also agrees with me, it was Novak's decision not to get vaccinated and he has to accept the consequences!
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Moxie
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I hope you have read my above post from Jon Wertheim. He addresses the notion that policies change, and don't always make sense.
Novak Djokovic's Vaccine Stance & Visa Troubles
I don't get your point-----of course the policy of a country is the policy----and the US policy is quite clear. Unlike Australia where there were conflicting opinions among different government entities resulting in that mess.....
www.tennisfrontier.com
Fiero425
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I hope you have read my above post from Jon Wertheim. He addresses the notion that policies change, and don't always make sense.
Novak Djokovic's Vaccine Stance & Visa Troubles
I don't get your point-----of course the policy of a country is the policy----and the US policy is quite clear. Unlike Australia where there were conflicting opinions among different government entities resulting in that mess.....
I don't watch the news much, but I think I heard Millman was overcome by C-19, but he's already here! Make it make sense!
Moxie
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Policies change. Novak knows the rules, and he knows what it will take him to play in the US. He has known this since IW. As Margaret says, stop playing the victim card. At least Novak, to his credit, accepts the consequences of his decisions. His fans, like you, do not. Get over it.So far The US has forbidden Novak entry into the country to play the USO or Masters even though he played last year to attempt a CYGS!
MargaretMcAleer
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Moxie
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John Millman was in per the rules. You don't have to like the rules, and neither does he. But thems the rules. How hard is that to understand?I don't watch the news much, but I think I heard Millman was overcome by C-19, but he's already here! Make it make sense!
