"Dear Novak Djokovic, please don't withdraw until the tournament starts" - Serb's fans express their anger as decision to allow him remains pending

With just a week left until the 2022 US Open, Novak Djokovic's fans are continuing to try and build pressure on the authorities so that they allow him to enter the country.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) released the entry list for the last Grand Slam tournament of the year on Sunday. The list includes both Djokovic and World No. 2 Alexander Zverev, who injured his ankle during his semifinal clash against Rafael Nadal at the French Open. Although Zverev is back in practice, he is likely to miss the New York Major.

If any two players from the main draw pull out of the tournament before the qualifying matches begin on Tuesday, America's Stefan Kozlov and Jack Sock will get to replace them. But given that there's still a slight chance for Djokovic to get a green signal, he is likely to wait a little longer before announcing his withdrawal.

Tennis fans on social media seem to be divided on this issue. The Serb's fans want him to wait as long as the rules allow him to. On the other hand, there are a few who consider waiting until the last minute a selfish move, as it would prevent another player from getting in.

"Djokovic is the greatest of all time and zverev worked hard to get in the top 10. Both want to play the US Open and will wait as long as they are allowed to before withdrawing from the draw, and rightfully so," a fan tweeted.

"No longer any health or safety reason for barring Novak Djokovic from the US Open. None. The federal govt and USTA should be ashamed. And this stain will linger. It will come up, inevitably, whenever tennis' alltime records are discussed," a user posted.

"Tennis fans can’t do anything about the immigration policy of a country. It would be discriminatory against thousands of unvaccinated foreigners if Djokovic is allowed to come to the US just because he is a tennis player. That’s what you are failing to see. Stop victimizing him," another fan wrote.

Here are a few more reactions:

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Novak Djokovic would be monitoring the health and safety updates from the US government

Novak Djokovic during the 2021 US Open

The tournament organizers of the US Open recently updated their health and safety protocols for spectators and players. The USTA set the record straight with the following statement, declaring that fans traveling from outside the US will be required to show proof of vaccination to enter the country:

"At this time, ticket holders will not be required to show proof of COVID vaccination for admission into the US Open. However, please note that if you are traveling from abroad to attend the US Open, you must be fully vaccinated with the primary series of an accepted COVID vaccine to travel to the United States (this applies to non-U.S. citizens and/or non-U.S. immigrants).

Of course, the same rules would apply to the players as well. That means Novak Djokovic needs the US government rules to change, or else he would miss his second Major of the year after the Australian Open.