# Djokovic's Medical Exemption **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** tennis\ **Created:** [January 5, 2022, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283 "2022-01-05T21:05:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2022, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/301 "2022-02-10T20:34:41Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > What I suspect will happen is that he’ll show up in California bearing a Genuine Authentic Totally For Real Certificate of COVID Vaccination from Serbia, personally signed by Aleksandar Vučić. …and then get tested. 🤦‍♂️ 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/302 "2022-02-10T20:35:43Z")
> [@SoToasty](#): > > If it was that easy he would have done it for the Aussie Open. I think the crazy is sometimes overpowering. Kind of like with Aaron Rodgers. There is no real reason for them not to be vaxxed, other than the crazy. > [@wolfpup](#): > > What I suspect will happen is that he’ll show up in California bearing a Genuine Authentic Totally For Real Certificate of COVID Vaccination from Serbia, personally signed by Aleksandar Vučić. Given the fawning over him in Serbia, it’s clear he could easily obtain fake official proof of vaccination without being vaccinated. But he probably could have done that prior to Australia if he had wanted to. So I do wonder that he may be so stubborn and deluded that he doesn’t want to fake it - he actually wants to make a big thing out of standing up for his principles, for his “freedom” to participate unvaccinated. Maybe the humiliation of being sent home from Australia will change that, but maybe he will dig his heels in even more. If he wants to participate in the U.S. Open, I’m sure there are any number of Republicans who will (subject to verifying the exact shade of his skin, these tennis players are so well tanned sometimes you cannot tell if they are the right kind of people) advocate offering him U.S. citizenship for his principled stand, then he doesn’t need to be vaccinated. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2022, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/303 "2022-02-10T20:52:54Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > But he probably could have done that prior to Australia if he had wanted to. If I correctly recall the circumstances, he flew to Australia believing he had a valid exemption. This won’t be the case here. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2022, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/304 "2022-02-10T21:25:31Z")
> [@SoToasty](#): > > If it was that easy he would have done it for the Aussie Open. I think the crazy is sometimes overpowering. Kind of like with Aaron Rodgers. There is no real reason for them not to be vaxxed, other than the crazy. I was thinking the experience of watching Rafa win his 21st grand slam might have been more traumatic than the thought of getting vaccinated. > [@wolfpup](#): > > No-Vax Jokeovic? Vaccinated? No way! This is the guy who invested a significant fortune into a scam that claims to cure COVID with “electromagnetic resonant frequencies”. Remember at the beginning of the 20th century when all manner of diseases could be cured by the magic of the newly discovered “radio waves”? Well, it’s back! He faces the same problem whether he gets vaccinated for real or just fakes it so that everyone believes he is vaccinated. There’s no way he can present to the tournament as a vaccinated player while also maintaining some kind of unvaccinated status for his business interests. So he may as well just get vaccinated. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2022, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/305 "2022-02-10T22:14:26Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Neither the ATP nor WTA tours require players to be vaccinated against COVID-19 You see, the root cause of the problem is that Novak believes that the ATP is a higher sovereignty that any of the venues they deign to hold tournaments, and that the ATP will bestow on him whatever he wishes. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2022, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/306 "2022-02-10T22:41:30Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > unvaccinated status for his business interests In this respect, I think he’s probably more the “mark” than the grifter. And I would think his tennis earnings surely dwarf his “biotech” investment. If he does dig his heels in, I tend to think it will be because he’s an idiot who thinks he’s making a principled stand, rather than any financial benefit he derives from it. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2022, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/307 "2022-02-15T14:10:06Z")
And it looks like he might be taking the high moral stance rather than availing himself of a fake vaccination certificate. > **[Novak Djokovic willing to miss tournaments over vaccine](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60354068)** > > Novak Djokovic says he is prepared to miss out on his place in tennis history for his vaccine stance. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2022, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/308 "2022-02-15T14:16:18Z")
I love that headline. I guess he’s not anti-vax. Also, he’s willing to sacrifice millions of dollars and the chance to have the most majors ever in order to avoid getting vaccinated. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2022, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/309 "2022-02-15T14:32:48Z")
He thinks vaccines are wonderful! Cited in proof: he had some as a child. He’s not against them, oh no. He’s a student of wellness, and he’s just standing up for bodily autonomy, for the right to be in control of what goes into his body. If you think about it, we all do exactly the same thing! It’s just that most of us make our own principled stands for bodily autonomy by stubbornly refusing to be injected with bleach. #IStandWIthJokeovic ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2022, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/310 "2022-02-15T16:19:26Z")
Djokovic is doing classic antivaxer dodging and ducking and not getting called on it by the media. “I-was-vaccinated-as-a-child” - well, so what? It’s not like it was a decision _you_ made. What have you been vaccinated for as an adult? Do you think any current vaccines have benefit and are important for people to get? There’s also Djokovic’s tap dance “I have never said that I am part of that (antivax) movement”. But does he agree with their claims and goals? It sure sounds that way.\* \*He made comments about being very careful about what he ingests and being in tune with his body. I guess he’s unwilling to expose himself to antifreeze, tracking chips, fetal parts and all that other nasty stuff they’re putting into Covid-19 vaccines. Plus the “gene therapy”, which could suddenly turn him into a newt just when he’s at match point. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2022, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/311 "2022-03-09T15:45:40Z")
A derail, but there’s no recent tennis thread, and this post certainly doesn’t warrant its own thread, so here goes: [Federer out for _at least_ next three slams.](https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/tom-brady-coach-k-roger-federer-and-the-twilight-of-the-gods-172236514.html) 😦 > [@](#): > > Knee injuries have brought Federer low; he’s played in only two of the last seven Grand Slams, and hasn’t advanced past the quarterfinals. He’s more than four years removed from his last Grand Slam victory, the 2018 Australian Open, and every tournament that goes by puts more distance between him and his era of dominance. Yeah, gotta say I’ll be super-duper surprised if he comes back. Of course I hope he will, but definitely won’t be having any big expectations. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/312 "2022-03-10T00:17:22Z")
[Djokovic Withdraws From Indian Wells & Miami](https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovic-indian-wells-miami-2022-withdrawal) “While I was automatically listed in the @BNPPARIBASOPEN and @MiamiOpen draw I knew it would be unlikely I’d be able to travel,” Djokovic tweeted. “The CDC has confirmed that regulations won’t be changing so I won’t be able to play in the US. Good luck to those playing in these great tournaments.” ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/313 "2022-03-10T11:30:31Z")
I’m trying to think if there is any approved drug that I wouldn’t take one shot of for the kind of money he’s missing out on. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/314 "2022-03-10T12:39:10Z")
He’s already got three swimming pools worth of money. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/315 "2022-03-10T12:50:45Z")
“Hey, **Folacin** , here’s $4 million to take a shot that has been safely taken by around 6 billion people.” If he’s avoiding it because he doesn’t want side effects to affect his playing, well, his lack of a shot is affecting his playing, too. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/316 "2022-03-10T13:00:49Z")
He is such a d-bag. I’m glad he’s missing tourneys. Now I won’t have to see his mug when I tune in. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/317 "2022-03-10T13:22:01Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > “Hey, **Folacin** , here’s $4 million to take a shot that has been safely taken by around 6 billion people.” At some point, more money isn’t a major motivator, relative to whatever stand he thinks he is taking by not getting the shot. I agree he is an idiot douchebag, but if I had done my own research and decided that the shot was potentially dangerous, the offer of $1.25 as an incentive probably wouldn’t change my mind (unless I was in dire need of a KitKat bar or something). ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/318 "2022-03-10T13:30:56Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > (unless I was in dire need of a KitKat bar or something). That’s a continuing need. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/319 "2022-03-10T13:44:36Z")
Yeah, I should have gone with Zagnut or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283/320 "2022-03-10T13:45:52Z")
OMG, that’s even more compelling! Give me the shot right now! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djokovics-medical-exemption/957283.md?page=17)