Why fans are blasting Covid-maker Moderna over Djokovic's absence in US Open 2022

Tennis star Novak Djokovic's announcement that he would not be taking part in the US Open starting Monday (22) has left the fans deeply disappointed. The 35-year-old, who has won 21 Grand Slams, cited his no-vaccination stance as the reason as the US has a strict vaccination mandate to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus which has caused over a million deaths there.

While the fans were generally angry with the government accusing it of taking away people's liberty to decide their own fate, some even attacked vaccine manufacturer Moderna saying it had a big role to play in forcing Djokovic to pull out of the tournament.

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According to reports, Moderna has moved to sponsor the US Open apparently to show to the fans it has done more than just inoculating people against the virus.

The US pharmaceutical company has also planned to set up a booth during the tournament to raise awareness about its mRNA technology.

Fans alleged that Djokovic did not fit into the company's scheme saying an unvaccinated player laying claim to the title of a tournament which is being sponsored by a vaccine-manufacturing company may affect its image.

Here are some reactions that surfaced on Twitter: