"How on earth is Djokovic, or any other tennis player or athlete a National Interest Exemption?" - Tennis fans react to Claudia Tenney's petition to grant the Serb an exemption for US Open

Tennis fans react to a new twist in the Djokovic-US Open saga

Novak Djokovic’s US Open saga has taken a new turn with US representative Claudia Tenney urging the government to grant him a 'National Interest Exemption' for entry into the country. Social media has been abuzz with reactions to the petition by Tenney, which also called for the abolishment of the vaccine mandate.

As things stand, Djokovic will not be allowed to play in the US Open as the vaccine mandate restricts unvaccinated non-Americans from entering the country. Tenney claimed that restricting a player of the stature of Djokovic would hamper interest in the US Open, which is one of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world and has a positive diplomatic and economic impact on the country.

"I'm urging the Biden administration to issue a National Interest Exemption so that world renowned tennis star Novak Djokovic and any other international athlete can compete in the US Open. Biden should then DROP the ridiculous mandate altogether!" Claudia Tenney said in a tweet, attaching a letter which addressed her reasons.

Djokovic said in a statement last week that he was preparing for the US Open with the hope of getting late permission to enter the country. He even posted a video of himself involved in an intense practice session on a hardcourt.

But fans have shown mixed reactions to Tenney's petition urging the US government and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to grant the 35-year-old a 'National Interest Exemption.'

One fan opined that dropping the vaccine mandate was not an issue, but that no athlete should receive such a major exemption.

"How on earth is Djokovic, or any other tennis player or athlete a National Interest Exemption?? Please!!! Drop the mandate? Fine! Exception? NO!" said a post on Twitter.

Meanwhile, another fan was happy to see a step being taken in favor of the Serb after a long-lasting debate.

"At least someone takes the step further," said another tweet.

Here are some more reactions from tennis fans to congresswoman Claudia Tenney's letter:

Claudia Tenney pushes for National Interest Exemptions for other unvaccinated members of the ATP as well, apart from Novak Djokovic

2021 US Open - Day 14

In her statement, US representative Claudia Tenney pointed out that while Novak Djokovic cannot play in the tournament just because he is unvaccinated, the mandate allows American players to participate even if they are unvaccinated.

She urged the concerned authorities to grand exemptions to all unvaccinated players of the ATP before dropping the mandate itself, which she termed 'ridiculous.'

"Even though several Americans who are unvaccinated will take part in the tournament this year, prominent players from around the world, including Novak Djokovic, will not be able to participate due to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate instituted by President Joseph R. Biden," Tenney wrote.

"I strongly urge you to issue National Interest Exemptions for unvaccinated members of the Association of Tennis Professionals who otherwise meet the high standards of eligibility to compete in the U.S. Open," she added.

Tenney also argued that since the Serbian player has contracted COVID twice, he has built a natural immunity against the virus, which protects him more than a virus does. Djokovic last contracted COVID-19 back in December 2021, as he stated in a document during the Australian Open controversy.

Also Checkout:- US Open 2022 Results