John McEnroe has slammed the decision to not allow Novak Djokovic to play the US Open as a 'joke'.
Djokovic, as it stands, will not be able to travel to New York to play in the final Grand Slam of 2022.
Djokovic won Wimbledon, but will unlikely get the chance to win the US Open
His stance on the coronavirus vaccines is well-documented and unvaccinated travellers are unable to enter the United States.
This position has already caused him problems this year as he was deported from Australia and banned from playing at The Open down under.
The 21-time Grand Slam winner is yet to officially withdraw from the US Open in the hope there will be a late rule change.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relaxed some of its Covid-19 restrictions on August 11 and said it would be looking at travel 'in the coming weeks'.
This raised the hopes that Djokovic may be able to play, but with the Slam just days away his chances are slipping away.
McEnroe has criticised the coronavirus ban being placed on Djokovic.
Djokovic was emotional after losing the US Open final in 2021
He said: "It's not fair. It's a joke.
"I would have had the vaccine and played but he's got very strong beliefs and you have to respect those.
"At this point in the pandemic, we're two and a half years in, people in all parts of the world know more about it.
"The idea he can't travel here to play is a joke."
The American added: "Training this past month or six weeks not knowing whether he's going to play, that's going to put a strain on you mentally.
"Just as it was when he got thrown out of Australia.
"It took him three or four months to get his head right."
Djokovic remains one Grand Slam behind Rafael Nadal [22], but McEnroe thinks he will finish ahead of his great rival.
Djokovic has remained firm in his anti-vax stance
McEnroe added: "Who's to say [Djokovic] can't do it for another couple of years?
"It's not impossible for him to win three or four more. He can still get to 25."
Tens of thousands of people signed an online petition calling for Djokovic to be allowed to play the US Open.
In July, he posted an update and said he was preparing as if he will be allowed to play.
"I am preparing as if I will be allowed to compete, while I await to hear if there is any room for me to travel to U.S.," Djokovic said in a post on Instagram along with a video of him practising.
"Fingers crossed!"
Time is running out for Djokovic to be able to compete, though, and he may leave it until the last minute to withdraw officially.
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