Aaron Rodgers praises Novak Djokovic’s anti-vax stance in post from US Open
An American sports superstar has caused a huge stir on social media over one detail on his picture of Novak Djokovic at the US Open.
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Aaron Rodgers appeared to praise Novak Djokovic for more than his tennis skills in an Instagram story on Monday.
The Jets quarterback was taking in the U.S. Open action in Queens when Rodgers posted about checking off an item on his bucket list by getting to see Djokovic play in person.
He also seemed to applaud Djokovic’s decision to not get vaccinated against COVID-19 in the post, taken during the Serbian’s Round of 16 victory over Croatian Borna Gojo.
In part of the photo he had the goat emoji next to the hashtag “novaxdjokovic.”
Rodgers also drew a red line over a Moderna logo, which is one of the companies that produces the Covid vaccine.
The Jets superstar’s anti-vax statement caused a stir on social media with many onlookers calling him out for bringing up the divisive topic of vaccinations once again.
Rodgers has been a sceptic of the vaccine and did not receive a Covid vaccine during the pandemic.
The NFL QB found himself mixed up in controversy after he misled the public about his vaccination status and then tested positive for Covid in November 2021.
Djokovic had to sit out last year’s U.S. Open because of his unvaccinated status preventing him from entering the United States at the time.
The U.S. government in May lifted a requirement that international travellers entering the country had to be vaccinated.
Djokovic had been one of the most steadfast athletes in their desire not to get vaccinated, even saying in the past that he would rather miss grand slams than take the Covid shot in order to compete.
He is competing in his first U.S. Open since 2021.
“The reason why I was not here for two years, I have zero regret on that. I’m just glad to be back,” Djokovic told CNN early last month.
“I’ve had plenty of success on American soil with Indian Wells, Miami, obviously Canada and here, (I’ve) won many times at these Masters 1,000 events, all of them.
“Of course, the U.S. Open as well being the pinnacle of the hard-court season. I’m just excited.”
Djokovic defeated Borna Gojo 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 on Monday to advance to the quarterfinals.
He’ll take on American Taylor Fritz on Tuesday in Djokovic’s 13th quarterfinal in Queens.
Djokovic is 7-0 against Fritz.
Originally published as Aaron Rodgers praises Novak Djokovic’s anti-vax stance in post from US Open
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