Novak Djokovic, three-time US Open champion will not be able to hunt for a fourth title at Flushing Meadows in 2022. Indeed, he withdrew from the last Grand Slam of the year due to vaccination restrictions. The 21-time Grand Slam champion’s update saw many people supporting him. This includes the female MMA pioneer Gina Carano.
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Novak Djokovicwho won the tournament in 2011, 2015 and 2018, tweeted, “Unfortunately, I will not be able to make it to New York this time for the US Open. Thank you #NoleFam for your messages of love and support. Good luck to my fellow players! I will keep fit and positive and wait for an opportunity to compete again. See you soon world of tennis!”
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Unfortunately, I won’t be able to travel to New York this time for the US Open. Thanks #NoleFam for your messages of love and support. ❤️ Good luck to my gaming friends! I will keep fit and positive and wait for an opportunity to compete again. 💪🏼 See you soon world of tennis! 👋🏼
—Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 25, 2022
Moments after the news broke, Gina Carano took to the microblogging site and shared a few tweets in support of the 35-year-old Serb.
If all tennis players boycotted the @US Open until @DjokerNole was allowed to play, it would cause changes. The silence of our colleagues, compatriots, media, family and friends is what hurts the most. ALL THIS ESCAPES WHEN WE ARE TOGETHER. When will you have enough?
— Gina Carano 🕯 (@ginacarano) August 25, 2022
She wrote, “If all tennis players boycotted @usopenuntil @DjokerNole is cleared to play, that would bring about change. The silence of our colleagues, compatriots, media, family and friends is what hurts the most. ALL OF THIS ESCAPES WHEN WE’RE TOGETHER When will you get enough?
Outraged Gina Carano, Novak Djokovic even received the support of an active cfu fighter.
UFC fighter Aleksandar Rakic backs Novak Djokovic after Serb withdraws at US Open
More support for last year’s US Open runner-up came in the form of Austrian light heavyweights Aleksandar Rakic. The UFC’s fourth 205-pounder called the incident a “disgrace.”
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It wasn’t the first time either. Novak Djokovic was unable to play due to vaccination issues, after having to Miss the Australian Open in 2022 for the same reason.
The absence of the Serb will deprive him of a chance to equalize Rafael Nadal in the Grand Slam race. It will also allow the Spaniard to extend his lead as his closest competitors, namely Djokovic and Roger Federer won’t be at Flushing Meadows. This may upset many fans, and based on Carano and Rakic’s tweets, they are not happy with what happened.
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What is your opinion on the reactions of the two MMA athletes to Novak Djokovic withdraws from the US Open?
Watch this story: The epic battles of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at Roland-Garros
