Novak Djokovic US Open: Aussie John Millman causes Twitter storm after defending superstar

Aussie tennis star John Millman has weighed into the Novak Djokovic US Open debate after withdrawing from a tournament with Covid, causing a Twitter meltdown.

John Millman has defender Novak Djokovic. Picture: AFP

Aussie tennis star John Millman has weighed into the Novak Djokovic US Open debate and sparked a Twitter firestorm by declaring he “can’t see why (Djokovic) can’t come and compete” at the year’s final grand slam.

As was the case in the lead-in to the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, 21-time grand slam champion Djokovic’s eligibility has again dominated the pre-tournament conversation ahead of the August 29- September 11 event at Flushing Meadows.

I’m out with covid. I was just in the states and it didn’t really feel like too many were following any recommendations or guidelines there. Which is fine, but therefore I can’t see then why @DjokerNole can’t come and compete.

— John Millman (@johnhmillman) August 3, 2022

The United States Tennis Association last month ruled it would follow the US government’s rules regarding the Covid-19 vaccine, which requires non-citizens to be fully vaccinated before entering the country.

Domestic players and fans however are not required to show proof of vaccination.

That has left Wimbledon champion Djokovic, who has been vocal in his anti-vaccination stance, on the outer – and Millman perplexed.

John Millman has divided opinion on Twitter. Picture: AFP

The Aussie went to Twitter on Thursday morning to confirm he had withdrawn from an ATP 250 event in Mexico after testing positive to Covid-19, before questioning why Djokovic was not allowed to compete in New York later this month.

“I’m out with covid. I was just in the (United) states and it didn’t really feel like too many were following any recommendations or guidelines there. Which is fine, but therefore I can’t see then why @DjokerNole can’t come and compete,” Millman tweeted.

After receiving condemnation in his replies, Millman elaborated further by questioning why the rules were so strict for non-US players and fans.

“Let me be clear. If everyone in the country was following guidelines then I’m all for them enforcing a vax entry policy. But from what I saw pretty much no one was, the tournament allows non vax citizens to play and only 30% have had a booster..”

Last week Djokovic took to Twitter to say thank you for messages of support and stated he was “preparing as if I will be allowed to compete, while I await to hear if there is any room for me to travel to the US”.

Let me be clear. If everyone in the country was following guidelines then I’m all for them enforcing a vax entry policy. But from what I saw pretty much no one was, the tournament allows non vax citizens to play and only 30% have had a booster.. https://t.co/hU6I8XVdcZ

— John Millman (@johnhmillman) August 3, 2022

Twitter is full of people having all types of opinions on different matters but when an athlete has an opinion on something that is not to do with their sport they are told to “stick to your sport”..

— John Millman (@johnhmillman) August 4, 2022

Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic (right) will not be able to compete at the US Open unless organisers change their Covid-19 vaccination rules. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The 35-year-old Serbian was unable to defend his 2021 Australian Open title this year after being refused entry into the country due to his vaccination status.

Djokovic has won the US Open three times, most recently in 2018.

Meanwhile, Nick Kyrgios has maintained his hot form with a straight-sets win over American Tommy Paul at the Citi Open in Washington.

He meets American Reilly Opelka in the Round of 16 on Friday at 6am AEST.

Alex de Minaur, fresh off his Atlanta Open win, lost his Round of 32 tie to Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan, while fellow Aussie Alexei Popyrin was also knocked out.