"Did he think they would change the law for him?" - Tennis fans react to Novak Djokovic officially withdrawing from the Canadian Open

With the National Bank Open set to begin on August 8, Novak Djokovic has officially withdrawn from the ATP Masters 1000 event due to his unvaccinated status against COVID-19.The Serb has won the tournament on four occasions previously. But the last time he played in Montreal was in 2018, losing to Stefanos Tsitspas in the third round. Djokovic has stood by his point of view that every individual must have the freedom to decide what to put in their bodies. He was deported from Australia in January right before the first Major of the year kicked off, over the same issue. The 21-time Grand Slam champion is willing to miss events but has decided not to get the vaccine. According to the rules in Canada and the US, foreign travelers are required to show proof of vaccination to enter. This means Djokovic could also miss the US Open, starting August 29.Some fans showed no mercy to the World No. 6 after he pulled out of the Canadian Open. However, quite a lot of people continue to stand with the Serb.&quot;You can be pro-Vax (like I am), think Novak's stance is foolish (which I do) and still realize how ridiculous, discriminatory, and anti-scientific the US stance is,&quot; a fan tweeted.BK@borris_k@BenRothenberg You can be pro Vax (like I am), think Novak's stance is foolish (which I do) and still realise how ridiculous, discriminatory and anti scientific the US stance is12@BenRothenberg You can be pro Vax (like I am), think Novak's stance is foolish (which I do) and still realise how ridiculous, discriminatory and anti scientific the US stance is&quot;He’s just embracing victimhood and martyrdom now and milking it for all the points he’s losing. He knew that the law wasn’t going to change,&quot; a user posted.AO@aalexotero1@BenRothenberg He’s just embracing victimhood and martyrdom now and milking it for all the points he’s losing. He knew that the law wasn’t going to change.171@BenRothenberg He’s just embracing victimhood and martyrdom now and milking it for all the points he’s losing. He knew that the law wasn’t going to change.&quot;I cannot fathom any other sport where the greatest of all time debate could be decided (or at least defined) by a grown man scared of a tiny needle &amp; willing to risk his entire legacy for it,&quot; another tweet read.Mat Izquierdo@matizquiI cannot fathom any other sport where the greatest of all time debate could be decided (or at least defined) by a grown man scared of a tiny needle &amp; willing to risk his entire legacy for it. twitter.com/benrothenberg/…Ben Rothenberg@BenRothenbergWith no change to Canadian law, Djokovic pulls out the day before the draw. twitter.com/sportshorn/sta…31122With no change to Canadian law, Djokovic pulls out the day before the draw. twitter.com/sportshorn/sta…I cannot fathom any other sport where the greatest of all time debate could be decided (or at least defined) by a grown man scared of a tiny needle &amp; willing to risk his entire legacy for it. twitter.com/benrothenberg/…Here are some more reactions:Jay Schro 3️⃣6️⃣@jschroe36I’m so old I can still remember being alive all the way back in July of 2022 in the crazy times where @DjokerNole could travel from one country to another to play in a tennis tournament. Those were the days.455I’m so old I can still remember being alive all the way back in July of 2022 in the crazy times where @DjokerNole could travel from one country to another to play in a tennis tournament. Those were the days.Melina Dayan@MelinaDayan@Opuddles @BenRothenberg Yes, why did he even enter these events. Did he think they would change the lww for him?17@Opuddles @BenRothenberg Yes, why did he even enter these events. Did he think they would change the lww for him?Dodgy Fag@30lovedown@BenRothenberg Poor Novak. Still getting press for expecting governments and institutions to make exceptions for his choices.131@BenRothenberg Poor Novak. Still getting press for expecting governments and institutions to make exceptions for his choices.Akash Deo@de73156448@BenRothenberg He did it better this time, last time he pulled out one day after the draw, and that was little unprofessional from him, when he knows that one or two days before that the ban is not going to be uplifted, logical move is to pull out so that the whole draw doesn't get tossed@BenRothenberg He did it better this time, last time he pulled out one day after the draw, and that was little unprofessional from him, when he knows that one or two days before that the ban is not going to be uplifted, logical move is to pull out so that the whole draw doesn't get tossedOleg S.@AnnaK_4everOne of the biggest surprises of the season.(That he has done it before the draw, I mean.) twitter.com/SportsHorn/sta…John Horn@SportsHornNovak Djokovic has officially withdrawn from the National Bank Open in Montreal #ATP #NBO22905Novak Djokovic has officially withdrawn from the National Bank Open in Montreal #ATP #NBO22One of the biggest surprises of the season.(That he has done it before the draw, I mean.) twitter.com/SportsHorn/sta…Patrick Trivett@patrivettennis@BenRothenberg At least he did the right thing this time compared to Indian Wells191@BenRothenberg At least he did the right thing this time compared to Indian WellsMarshall Maher@marvelle&quot;no change to Canadian law&quot; - he knows he's just a tennis player, right? Like the 17th most popular sport? twitter.com/BenRothenberg/…Ben Rothenberg@BenRothenbergWith no change to Canadian law, Djokovic pulls out the day before the draw. twitter.com/sportshorn/sta…31122With no change to Canadian law, Djokovic pulls out the day before the draw. twitter.com/sportshorn/sta…&quot;no change to Canadian law&quot; - he knows he's just a tennis player, right? Like the 17th most popular sport? twitter.com/BenRothenberg/…&quot;I'm preparing as if I will be allowed to compete&quot; - Novak Djokovic on the US OpenNovak Djokovic was the runner-up at the 2021 US OpenSince COVID-19 rules and regulations are modified from time to time, Novak Djokovic is still hopeful that he will be allowed to participate in the 2022 US Open. Having won the tournament thrice, the Serb, if given a chance, would be eager to compete and win his 22nd Grand Slam title, equalling Rafael Nadal's record.The 35-year-old recently took to social media to express gratitude towards fans who have stood by him. He also stated that he was hoping for a change in the US government's rules. View this post on Instagram Instagram Post&quot;I just wanted to take a moment and say to all of you how grateful I am to see so many messages of support and love from all around the world these days. I wasn’t expecting it, and that’s why it feels so mindblowing. Just wanted to say Thank You. I'm preparing as if I will be allowed to compete, while I await to hear if there is any room for me to travel to US. Fingers crossed,&quot; Djokovic wrote.

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