Novak Djokovic doesn't seem likely to participate at the
US Open and
John McEnroe thinks it's stupid of the organizers.
McEnroe has campaigned for Djokovic to be allowed to play at the US Open since Wimbledon concluded and he's not the only one who has done that. Many other players support that idea but so far it doesn't look like he will be able to play. For McEnroe, it's simply stupid:
“I think it’s stupid that they don’t let him play. It’s the closest thing to a joke. I would have been vaccinated
instead, but you have to respect their way of thinking. We have been
living with the pandemic for two and a half years and I consider it a
joke that they won’t allow him to participate.”
McEnroe also thinks that it's impacting tennis history by pointing out that
Rafael Nadal is clearly biggest beneficiary when Djokovic missed an event:
“What is evident is that when Djokovic is not there, the great
beneficiary is Nadal. He produced a miraculous victory at the Australian
Open and the Serbian was the favourite there having won nine titles. It is true that Djokovic is younger and it seems that his body
responds to him and he has no injuries. He can reach 25 majors, but
addition to the tennis part you have to add the mental aspect. It is not easy to train without knowing when or what you will be
able to play on your planned schedule. It took him four months to get
his head back after everything that happened to him in Australia in
January.”