Gina Carano, Monica Cowley Slam COVID Rules After Djokovic U.S. Open Exit

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the U.S. Open after being unable to enter the U.S. due to his stance on COVID-19 vaccinations, and several celebrities and tennis fans have slammed the COVID rules in response.

Djokovic, a 21-time Grand Slam champion, announced Thursday morning on Twitter that he is unable to travel to New York for the 142nd edition of the hardcourt tennis championship.

"Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open," Djokovic tweeted. "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! 👋🏼"

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), non-U.S. citizens traveling to America "will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before you travel by air to the United States from a foreign country."

The U.S. Open marks the second Grand Slam that Djokovic is missing due to his vaccination status. In January, the Serbian athlete was deported from Australia for not having his COVID vaccine, resulting in his absence from the Australian Open.

On Thursday, several people spoke out on social media regarding Djokovic's decision to opt-out of the U.S. Open.

Actress Gina Carano, who previously played Cara Dune in Disney+ series The Mandalorian, tweeted, "If all the tennis players boycotted the @usopen until @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?"

Carano was fired from The Mandalorian in November 2021 over several controversial social media posts.

Monica Crowley, the former spokeswoman for the Treasury Department who was appointed by Donald Trump in 2019, tweeted, "Hi @DjokerNole - on behalf of the American people, I'm sorry that our power-mad despots have denied you entry for the US Open based merely on their pathological desire for control.

"Maybe try coming in via the southern border - no vax checks there!"

Fox News contributor Joe Concha also wrote, "What an absolute joke not to allow the best tennis player of his generation not play in the U.S. Open because he isn't vaccinated. Djokovic had Covid. We've seen the vaccine does not stop the spread of the virus. And it's TENNIS, a sport that socially distances players outdoors."

"Joe Biden & Jill Biden got vaxxed FOUR times, still got covid, got rebound covid... and were applauded," wrote Liz Wheeler, host of the podcast The Liz Wheeler Show. "Djokovic declined vaccination & isn't allowed into the U.S. to play in the U.S. Open. He's not sick. Do you not see the problem?"

U.S. Open tournament director Stacey Allaster on Thursday released a statement in response to Djokovic not playing.

"Novak is a great champion and it is very unfortunate that he will be unable to compete at the 2022 US Open, as he is unable to enter the country due to the federal government's vaccination policy for non-U.S.citizens. We look forward to welcoming Novak back at the 2023 US Open," Allaster said.

The U.S. Open runs August 29 through September 11, 2022, and will be held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City.

Newsweek reached out to a representative for Djokovic for comment.