Djokovic wife slams magazine as vaccine row swirls

Jelena Djokovic was highly critical of a publication's editorial about her unvaccinated husband

Jelena Djokovic, the wife of 21-time Grand Slam winner Novak, has hit out at Racquet Magazine for penning an editorial piece critical of her husband's vaccine stance as the Serbian star looks increasingly likely to miss out on this month's US Open. 

Djokovic appears almost certain to be absent for what would be a second Grand Slam event of the year, this time due to US rules forbidding unvaccinated non-citizens from entering the country.

In January, Djokovic was deported from Australia in a row over vaccine rules, in an incident which sparked a mini international incident between Australia and Serbia.

READ MORE: Djokovic out of North American showpiece

But despite the doubts over his eligibility to take part at the tournament in Flushing Meadows this month, Racquet Magazine has accused Djokovic of seeking preferential treatment after he was added to the US Open draw (as well as several other warm-up events) in spite of his vaccine stance.

“Dunno why this guy keeps entering tournaments hoping they’ll change their rules for him,” the magazine wrote. 

“Like the whole thing with taking a stand is that you have to actually take the stand.”

Is this a real, international tennis magazine?! @atptour @Nicarzani

Wow.