Novak Djokovic US Open row spirals as ‘absurd’ Joe Biden backed into a corner by Ted Cruz | Tennis | Sport

The row over Novak Djokovic’s ban from the US Open has escalated after Senator Ted Cruz blasted Joe Biden over “absurd” rules that stopped the world No 7 from entering the country to compete. He becomes the highest-profile politician yet to pressure the President ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year, with less than six weeks for travel restrictions on unvaccinated travellers to be dropped.

Djokovic is set to be banned from the US Open unless the American government eases up on unvaccinated travellers, who are currently barred from entering the country. The three-time former champion will not be able to compete unless Biden and his aides make a u-turn on the conditions of entry, and Ted Cruz has become the latest political figure to wade into the debate and slam the POTUS’ “absurd” rules.

“Let Novak Djokovic play,” the Texas Senator told the Daily Mail, attempting to back Biden into a corner over his restrictions on unjabbed foreign nationals. Cruz is one of several Republicans to criticise the rules, with those among the group of Senators and other officials calling the ban “absurd” and accusing the President of trying to “control Americans’ lives” by keeping restrictions in place.

Another Republican Senator – Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn – added: “It is absurd that Novak Djokovic is not allowed to enter the USA. No one should ever be punished directly or indirectly for not being vaccinated. The left has realised that if Covid is over, they will lose control over Americans’ lives. That’s why Joe Biden and Anthony Fauci are pushing for a forever pandemic.”

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