A.G. Gancarski
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic may not be looking for a doubles partner on the tennis court, but Gov. Ron DeSantis is on his team nonetheless.
DeSantis, a frequent and vocal opponent of COVID-19 precautions he sees as going too far, expanded his critique to the realm of professional tennis Tuesday at two separate press conferences, lamenting Djokovic’s exclusion from the prestigious U.S. Open tourney because he is unvaccinated and not allowed to travel to the U.S.
“You think about some of these mandates that have been done in the last couple of years. You still see them now,” DeSantis said at a press conference in Fort Pierce. “They’re not letting Djokovic come to the United States to play in the U.S. Open because of the shot!”
“He’s already had COVID,” DeSantis litigated. “And the shot is not, it’s not stopping you from getting this. It’s so bizarre. It’s so stupid that they’re doing this, but you had a lot of these bizarre policies going on in these other states.”
“You’re letting people come across the border without shots, but you won’t let him come in and compete,” DeSantis complained in Live Oak.
Djokovic was upbeat about the non-participation when he announced it on Twitter last week.
“Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open. Thank you #NoleFam for your messages of love and support. Good luck to my fellow players! I’ll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again. See you soon tennis world!”
The 35-year-old Djokovic is one of the most decorated tennis players in the world, with three U.S. Open titles amid his 21 major championships. The sticking point is international travel, with unvaccinated players not allowed to enter the U.S. or Canada.
“Novak is a great champion and it is very unfortunate that he will be unable to compete at the 2022 U.S. Open, as he is unable to enter the country due to the federal government’s vaccination policy for non-U.S. citizens,” said Stacey Allaster, the U.S. Open tournament director, to the Associated Press. “We look forward to welcoming Novak back at the 2023 U.S. Open.”
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The Associated Press contributed to this post.
31 comments
Tom
August 30, 2022 at 11:04 am
He’s totally correct, 4 million illegals crossed.
They are not tested for Covid or anything else.
Just ridiculous. Fauci and Biden are an embarrassment. Just test him upon entry, and every other day, day of match. How ridiculous.
Shameful.
Impeach Biden
August 30, 2022 at 11:10 am
Impeach Biden. Impeach Biden. Impeach Crist / Corsin / Offen.😀
Impeach Biden
August 30, 2022 at 11:10 am
Sorry. Impeach the midget Fauci.
Jack
August 30, 2022 at 1:39 pm
Yea ’cause 50 years of dedicated service to the country is worthy of impeachment you effing moron. How many lives have you or roni saved lately?
Joe Corsen
August 30, 2022 at 12:36 pm
Impeach Biden for what? It’s got to be a high crime or misdemeanor LIKE TRUMP DID. They will continue to fry his fat azz in butter for years to come. Enjoy!!!
joseph maloney
August 31, 2022 at 6:36 pm
HIGH OR LOW, WHICH ONE — DUMBO?
Jay Smif
August 30, 2022 at 11:19 am
Pudgy midget and aspiring fascist DeSantis is a national punchline, he’s losing in court left and right, and is spending what’s left of his political career whining about “vaccines” and a tennis player from Serbia, who he thinks is a “victim.”
News for you, cultist, neither DeSantis nor Fat Hitler are queen nor above the law, and Fat Hitler will be criminally indicted and prosecuted for his crimes against America in the coming months. DeSantis is a hateful little shitmonkey whose time is nearly up.
Tom
August 30, 2022 at 12:26 pm
Jay, U full of Adam Schiff.
You are deranged extremist.
Lies, lies and more lies.
How clueless are you.
4 million illegals come in and no tests on any disease. You soros Manchurians are unbelievable.
Biden, Fauci make America a laughing stock. America’s Gov is correct! You are fool.
Jay Smif
August 30, 2022 at 12:59 pm
Hey Tom – think you can fit even more of pudgy, fascist DeSantis’ nutsack into your mouth-hole than what’s already there if you REALLY try? I bet you can!
Tom
August 30, 2022 at 1:32 pm
I whiz on puds like you.
You faceless boot licker.
Impeach Biden
August 30, 2022 at 1:04 pm
Are we adding Jay Smif to the band of misfits Crist, Corsin, Offen?
joseph maloney
August 31, 2022 at 6:41 pm
ANOTHER IDIOT.
joseph maloney
August 31, 2022 at 6:46 pm
MY REPLIES ARE FOR DUMBO SMIF
joseph maloney
August 31, 2022 at 6:44 pm
ANOTHER DUMB IDIOT.
Don’t Look Up
August 30, 2022 at 11:54 am
Fake News Alert!
Charlie Crist
August 30, 2022 at 12:34 pm
Tom needs greasy Fat Cammack face sit, abominable face scrub, carpet burn by Fat Cammack. Teach you a good lesson about the GOP.🍩
Mr. Haney
August 31, 2022 at 4:13 pm
You and DeSantis are complete idiots who endanger the rest of society.
Dr. Seuss
August 30, 2022 at 11:18 am
Ahaha.
COVID-19 precautions… LOL.
Nice propaganda piece.. to bad no one is buying it.
It’s Covid tyranny for a virus they purposely released as part of a premeditated psy-op.
Mr. Haney
August 31, 2022 at 4:14 pm
Another mass murdered to be on the loose.
Ocean Joe
August 30, 2022 at 11:21 am
He actually bullied the Special Olympics!
I think he’s out-Trumped Trump.
Tom
August 30, 2022 at 12:27 pm
He told the organizers kids will not be compelled to wear masks! You are such a liar ocean!
Charlie Crist
August 30, 2022 at 12:41 pm
Yeah need mask to cover even your eyes from potential damage caused by viewing Fat Cammack’s bare ass. How much more so when she bounce it on you?🍩 Teach you a good lesson about messing with the GOP…
Impeach Biden
August 30, 2022 at 1:02 pm
The horror of seeing Debbie Wasserman-Schultz trunk.
Charlie Crist
August 30, 2022 at 1:56 pm
Yeah open up buddy 💋 Nikki Fried give you proper golden shower 🚿…show you right
Jerry
August 31, 2022 at 8:43 pm
The Special Olympics was attempting to mandate the vaccine, which was illegal in Florida to mandate according to the law passed by the legislature.
The Special Olympics was the one who decided to have the event in Florida knowing our laws don’t allow them to mandate the vaccine.
Tom
August 30, 2022 at 9:31 pm
Charlie Joe, LMAO on Nikki Fraud!
Tjb
August 31, 2022 at 3:33 pm
DeSantis is described as a frequent opponent of Covid precautions.
Florida has 6.5 % of the USA population and 9.2 % of the Covid deaths. On a per capita basis, Florida had more deaths than California or New York. Two states governments that he often mock for their Covid prevention policies.
Got to love DeSantis, he has given us the freedom to die maskless and unvaccinated
Jerry
August 31, 2022 at 8:24 pm
Did someone force you to stay? If you feel safer in a blue state then leave. Im serious. If you think you will be happier and safer in a blue state, then what heck are you still here? Florida was flooded with people who have been moving here from blue states because they can’t take the tyranny and the taxes anymore. And I agree with them… It’s miserable living in those places and it’s why I moved out of there decades ago. I couldint stand it anymore. Your love of Big Brother and worship of the administrative state is disgusting and completely un-American!
I’m not going to live in fear the rest of my life over glorified flu virus. And I am certainly not going to give up my rights just so you can feel better. If you want to wear a mask and take a zillion useless injections…be my guest. I won’t stop you! I promise to let you do as you wish for your own health and body. That’s your decision. But if you even attempt to force it on me, then we are going to have a serious problem. I will fight you. And so will more than half the population of Florida. You do not control my body. And neither does the government. Period!
JD
September 1, 2022 at 5:55 am
Why have we not left? Because Florida is our home too. We have every right like you do to mold it how we see it best for our children, ourselves, our friends and communities.
And just because you are not afraid of something doesn’t give you the freedom to endanger others.
Do you have the freedom to get drunk and drive a car? Do you have the freedom to shoot a gun in a crowded place? Do you have the freedom to burn your house down even if you own it?
I never got how an anti-mask mandate got turned into “Freedom” rally cry, except by those that are obtuse or stupid. A piece of cloth or paper is not an infringement on your rights. At best it’s an inconvenience that actually mitigates a virus (which is not an over blown flu virus).
And let’s take your “my body, my choice” to the whole abortion debate, shall we?
Florida is still a purple state and the Red Menace overreach has been noticed. It might take a few cycles, but it will be corrected (unless our democracy is truly off the rails).
And the fleeing hordes of “Blue state tyranny” are going to get a wake up call if we go into a recession and they realize they don’t have the Blue state safety nets in a state with high rents, low wages, and little unemployment once they lose that remote job.
So you get out with that attitude, “if you don’t like it, leave”. It’s what is truly unAmerican.
Tjb
September 1, 2022 at 4:53 pm
Jerry,
I am just saying DeSantis is doing a poor job with Covid prevention. He takes credit for doing a great job, but the states that he mocks, such as NY and CA have done a better job in preventing COVID DEATHS.
And did say I would force you to wear a mask or control your body. NO!
Also, I lived this state much longer than you, so don’t tell me to move.
Beth
September 1, 2022 at 4:30 am
Naturally DeSantis will defend another sociopath who does care about anyone but himself. Those are his people. Time for decent intelligent people to rise up and end the nonsense. Get rid of knuckle dragging Neanderthal Ronnie in November.
Comments are closed.