“If All the Tennis Players Boycotted US Open Until…” – Novak Djokovic’s Withdrawal Sparks Big Controversy as MMA Pioneer Gina Carano Shows Support

Three-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic will not be able to hunt for a fourth title at Flushing Meadows in 2022. This is because he withdrew from the final Grand Slam of the year due to vaccination restrictions. The 21-time Grand Slam champion’s update has seen many individuals come out in support of him. This includes women’s MMA pioneer Gina Carano.

Novak Djokovic, who won the tournament in 2011, 2015, and 2018, tweeted, “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!” 

Moments after this news broke out, Gina Carano took to the microblogging site and shared a few tweets in support of the 35-year-old Serbian.

She wrote, “If all the tennis players boycotted the @usopenuntil @DjokerNole was permitted to play it would cause change. The silence of our colleagues, countrymen, media, family & friends is what hurts the most. THIS ALL FALLS APART WHEN WE STAND TOGETHER. When will you have had enough?”

Besides Gina Carano, Novak Djokovic even received support from an active UFC fighter.

UFC fighter Aleksandar Rakic supports Novak Djokovic after the Serbian’s US Open withdrawal

More support for last year’s US Open runner-up came in the form of Austrian light heavyweight Aleksandar Rakic. The UFC’s fourth-ranked 205-pounder branded the incident a “disgrace.”

This also wasn’t the first time Novak Djokovic couldn’t play because of vaccination issues, after having to miss the Australian Open in 2022 for the same reason.

Also read: “Are You Harassing Them?” – MMA Fighter Turned Actor Gina Carano Slams “Grown A**” Disney Publicists

The Serbian’s absence will deny him a chance to draw level with Rafael Nadal in the Grand Slam race. It will also allow the Spaniard to extend his lead as his closest competitors, i.e. Djokovic and Roger Federer will not be at Flushing Meadows. This may upset many fans, and based on Carano and Rakic’s tweets they aren’t happy with what went down.

What’s your take on the two MMA athletes’ reactions to Novak Djokovic’s US Open withdrawal?

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