July 10, 2022. See you soon tennis world! Photo: TPN/Getty. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Novak Djokovic. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The ATP reported in late October that just 65% of its top players were fully vaccinated, but that has since risen to 95%. Djokovic said during a news conference before the US Open that getting the vaccine was a "personal decision," and "whether someone wants to get a vaccine or not, that's completely up to them.". 'However I have continued to test positive and thus will not be able to compete in the US Open next week.'. "Everyone likes to root against Djokovic, he is the bad boy, he is the Joker. More than half the tennis players at the US Open are unvaccinated, according to Andy Murray,despite the US Tennis Association's (USTA) announcement on Friday that spectators will have to show proof of vaccination if they want to watch the tournament live. Naomi Osaka on the court with a baby bump: Andre Agassi her new coach? While some athletes like Murray are measured when speaking about the vaccination, others aren't. Unvaccinated French player Gilles Simon was disqualified the Friday before the start of the US Open after being in close contact with his coach, Etienne Laforgue, who tested positive after arriving in New York. After winning Wimbledon in July, Djokovic had stated he had hoped the United States would change its policies, allowing him to play at the year's final major, and appeared to be training for the tournament. If we really have the power to influence them, let's make sure it's in a good way. 1, Medvedev tops Rublev for 3rd straight Dubai title, Paul outlasts Fritz to reach Mexican Open final, Jarry, Munar among semifinalists at Chile Open, Volynets stops Stearns to reach first WTA semi, Fritz def. Adam Bettcher / Getty Images. Sources tell SI's Jon Wertheim this week the . Being vaccinated against Covid-19 isn't enough for some tennis players to be able to compete at the Australian Open, with some jabs not recognised Former world No. , updated "Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open," Djokovic . Theyre nothings. 2023 BBC. After receiving a medical exemption to play in the Australian Open in January and arriving in the country, he was embroiled in an international legal battle that resulted in him having his visa revoked and being deported from the country before the tournament got underway. It has been a challenging year for Djokovic, who won three major titles in 2021. He did play in the French Open, where he lost in the quarterfinals to Nadal, and at Wimbledon, where Djokovic won the title. I understand that globally, everyone is trying to put a big effort into handling this virus and seeing, hopefully, an end soon to this virus," Djokovic insisted. The 22-year-old won the 2020 Australian Open and announced the 'disappointing news' on social media. Like, I am not able to understand that," said Verzbolovskis, 34. Some fans took a similar view regarding unvaccinated athletes: They understood it was a personal choice, and did not lose respect for them. By October 2021, more than 60 per cent of ATP and WTA players had taken up the vaccine, and in this same month the Australian government stated that anyone wishing to participate in the upcoming . But thats a good thing! He and several other fans wondered: How is it that fans are being held to a higher standard than the athletes? Im a healthy, young individual that will continue to work on my health Now as time goes on, if it [the vaccine] is mainstream, really, really mainstream, then yeah.. But on FridayNew York Mayor Bill de Blasio suddenly reversed rules and ordered the US Open to require proof of vaccination for all attendees at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. In the pressers before the 2020 Masters not long after DeChambeau won the U.S. Open by six strokes known-yoked-guy Tiger Woods even had this to say about his PGA peer: What hes done in the gym has been incredible to transform his game, and the ability to hit the ball as far as he has, and in as short a span as he has, its never been done before.. Theyre deflections. The country doesnt need them to believe in it, exactly we just need this pandemic to end. But why are some elite athletes, some of the world's most health-conscious people, so reluctant to get the jab? The majority of anti-vax athletes are just tiptoeing around the point in a half-assed attempt to accommodate their owners, PR teams and sponsorships. Wimbledon organisers have said players unvaccinated against Covid-19 will be allowed to play in this year's tournament, clearing the way for Novak Djokovic to compete. Despite losing bulk to a bout with COVID-19, Bryson DeChambeau has no plans to get vaccinated any time soon. New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton maintains that his vaccine decision is too personal to discuss. And even Los Angeles Lakers small forward LeBron James, an athlete who has never been shy to voice his opinion on a smorgasbord of social and political issues, chuckled and said, Its not a big deal, after he was asked last May whether he was vaccinated. Two tennis players who came to Australia on medical exemptions have now left the country following the detention of Novak Djokovic. When Medvedev was asked about Azarenka's comments on vaccine mandates Wednesday, he was noncommittal, saying he understood why the mandate applied to fans. The 23-year-old was 'pretty sure' he would have to get his first dose at some point but maintained that time won't come until the USTA makes vaccines mandatory for players to participate. The 24-year-old claimed the entire debate was 'too political' for his taste and simply believes 'everyone should act as they see fit'. "We tend to think of athletes as super-humans, but they are as susceptible to wrong information or conspiracy theories as any of us," explains Dr Gavin Weedon, Senior Lecturer in Sport, Health and the Body at Nottingham Trent University. Djokovic has spent more weeks at No. News, advice and insights for the most interesting man in the room. "Yes, that is the price that I'm willing to pay," Djokovic said in a February interview with the BBC. Unvaccinated Djokovic won't play in US Open, Medvedev ends Djokovic's 20-match win streak, Djokovic: 'Surreal' to break Graf record as No. But one group didn't have to go through the same protocols: the players and their teams. Cahill believes the number of double vaccinated tennis players is around "65 per cent," but anticipates it could grow significantly in the lead up to the tournament. He, his wife Jelena, and three other players later tested positive for COVID-19. "So actually, what people probably don't know is that I was not deported from Australia on the basis that I was not vaccinated, or I broke any rules or that I made an error in my visa declaration. Yet the staff that interact with players - chair umpires, ball kids, the media and security - had already been vaccinated as per USTA requirements. 1 - kept his vaccination status under wraps and said he's 'not in a position to debate' the vaccine. Huckberrys Entire Sale Section Is an Extra 15% Off. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. So, forgive us, Bryce, if were starting to feel a bit exhausted by all the bullshit. The ATP and WTA both released data revealing that only about 50% of tennis players are vaccinated, the least among all professional sports. Africa. Why are football players being held to a higher standard? "Whether it's his intention or not, Djokovic became a poster boy for vaccine scepticism because of his status and possibly because of his expressions and views.". "These athletes know how to take care of themselves, they're aware of their bodies so if they feel like they do not need the vaccine, then it's up to them," said Jackie Arnold, a Texas native visiting for the tournament. When Sofia Verzbolovskis, a fully vaccinated New York resident, heard Tsitsipas is not vaccinated, she said it made her change her mind about how she thought of him on and off the court. Djokovic made the announcement Thursday morning, shortly before the draw was to be revealed, tweeting, "Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open. Their influence can save or endanger the lives of thousands. 'It's not a loophole for privileged tennis players. Djokovic's vaccine status is well known to the . We have a silver bullet that can end this crisis. The country got through the worst of it, they can tell themselves, and they didnt have to bend the knee. Tennis players who have yet to be vaccinated for COVID-19 will not be allowed to participate in the Australian Open despite some initial optimism. In this case, that would mean players like Djokovic and Tsitsipas listening to doctors and science and getting vaccinated -- for the greater good. On Tuesday, the BBC released its . He also was the runner-up there a half-dozen times, including last season, when his pursuit of the first calendar-year Grand Slam in mens tennis since 1969 ended with a loss in the final to Daniil Medvedev. 22:02 GMT 02 Sep 2021. Subscribe to Heres the Deal, our politics McEnroe was referencing several high-profile players, including world No. Australian tennis players Samantha Stosur and Jordan Thompson said on Wednesday (January 5) that Novak Djokovic's announcement that he had received a medical exemption to play at the Australian Open without being vaccinated against COVID-19 was a matter for the governing bodies. Thank you #NoleFam for your messages of love and support. Fingers crossed!. We as players, we can just follow the guidelines and the rules. He also sat out four significant tournaments in North America in 2022, including in Montreal and Cincinnati recently. 1996 - 2023 NewsHour Productions LLC. On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance on international travel was updated to say: "Non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants: You must show proof of being fully vaccinated with the primary series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine before you board your flight to the United States. The world tennis rankings have been thrown into chaos over the last couple of years and the latest rankings from Universal Tennis suggest the current ATP list is not identifying the game's top players. Tennis No.1 Novak Djokovic. DeChambeau told ESPN that someone like his dad, who is a diabetic, deserves the COVID vaccine before he does. Barty, 25, said of getting her jab with her coach: 'We were able to get the vaccine, as were a lot of other players, through the Tour and that they had organized through a certain pharmacy that had extras, and that was important to me knowing that those who were the most vulnerable were able to get it first.'. NEW YORK (AP) Novak Djokovic will not play in the U.S. Open, as expected, because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and thus is not allowed to travel to the United States. We all want to be safe, we all want to continue doing our jobs,' the vaccinated tennis star added. In September 2020, Djokovic was disqualified from the U.S. Open after he swatted away a ball and it pelted a . While refusing to name colleagues who were dragging their heels, he admits that it is quite baffling to hear professional athletes question scientific advice. WIMBLEDON, England With the final match looming, this year's edition of Wimbledon has already proven many points. In that same essay, Allen actually praised the efforts of the NFL to get players vaccinated. I'm hoping that more players choose to have it in the coming months,' Murray added. Djokovic played in just one event, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before the clay portion of the season started in April. Andrews said in a statement it was for Tennis Australia and the Victorian government to decide whether a non-vaccinated player could take part in the Australian Open but "it is the commonwealth . Tennis players are some of the most-traveled athletes, particularly across continents, and considering the varying rules in every country and stadium, it would make life easier if the athletes were vaccinated, said former tennis player and ESPN analyst Patrick McEnroe. Australian Ashleigh Barty got access to a vaccine in April thanks to a WTA Tour initiative at a tournament in South Carolina. NEW YORK (AP) Novak Djokovic will not play in the U.S. Open, as expected, because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and thus is not allowed to travel to the . "So far it has not been applied to the players. "We would still have widespread vaccine hesitancy in the world even if Novak Djokovic had said nothing about it," he observes. John Millman, a member of the ATP Player Council, believes unvaccinated tennis stars who complete 14 days of hard quarantine should have the chance to play the Australian Open. He did play in the French Open, where he lost in the quarterfinals to Nadal, and at Wimbledon, where Djokovic won the title. Among the other players who will not be at the US Open for various reasons are No. Djokovic is a 35-year-old from Serbia who owns 21 major championships, one behind Rafael Nadal for the mens record. So why in the world would anyone especially a professional athlete, especially when the alternative is a reliable vaccine that prevents hospitalizations and deaths want to test the virus and find out? Alexander Zverev shares his thoughts on the vaccines, Victoria Azarenka - 'Bizarre' that fans have vaccine mandate at US Open, but not players. As well having a mum with fragile health, he was shocked by the high number of Covid-related deaths in his native Brazil (over 600,000). The [NFL has made] the burden of being unvaccinated so high that people comply, he wrote. Medvedev ends Djokovic's 20-match win streak, Djokovic: 'Surreal' to break Graf record as No. "Absolutely, the visa declaration error was not deliberately made," Djokovic said. One user couldn't believe it. Among the other players who will not be at the US Open for various reasons are No. The email to tennis players claimed fully vaccinated players can arrive any time after December 1 provided they have tested negative in the 72 hours prior to departure. "I'm a healthy, young individual that will continue to work on my health.". The WNBA reported 99% vaccination rates, followed by MLS . Among the other players who will not be at the U.S. Open for various reasons are No. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Play is scheduled to begin at Flushing Meadows on Monday. Read about our approach to external linking. During the news conference after his loss, Kyrgios made a larger point about how unvaccinated players were preventing him from doing what he needed in the tournament. "We have a responsibility as players that are traveling across the world to look out for everyone else, as well.". "I'm one of the players on tour that is fully vaccinated. Three-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic - ranked world No. Sign up now. In totalthe Billie Jean King National Tennis Center can house nearly 46,000. Unidad Editorial Informacin Deportiva, S.L.U. Consider: a couple weeks ago, the league released a memo confirming that COVID forfeitures will absolutely be in play this year. Martinez, an All-Star slugger for the Boston Red Sox: Everyone has the right to their body and what they do. In a statement sent to CNN, a spokesperson for the WTA said nearly 50% of its players are vaccinated, though it has set a target of 85% by the end of the year. 3-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece, No. Point being, the best chance leagues across all pro sports have of getting players to get vaccinated has been the continued implementation of common-sense COVID-era measures. ", Earlier, the ATP released a statement, saying, "While we respect everyone's right to free choice, we also believe that each player has a role to play in helping the wider group achieve a safe level of immunity." Meanwhile, as recently as a week ago unvaccinated tennis fans believed they were able attend the US Open. Remember way back at the beginning of COVID, in March of 2020, when a local news correspondent interviewed a sloshed spring breaker on some beach in South Florida? Murray would disagree and has publicly stated that 'the reason why all of us are getting vaccinate is to look out for the wider public'. Among the other players who will not be at the U.S. Open for various reasons are No. Their platforms are too big. All rights reserved. 'The USTA was informed that the New York City Mayor's office will be mandating proof of Covid-19 vaccination for entrance to Arthur Ashe Stadium during the US Open. "Look, the towel situation for me is incredibly stupid," Kyrgios said. Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said his government will not apply for travel permits to allow unvaccinated tennis players to compete at the Australian Open in the state. Theres a ton of different things that go into it. NEW YORK (AP) Novak Djokovic will not play in the U.S. Open, as expected, because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and thus is not allowed to travel to the United States. Associated Press. "It certainly makes me question what is being said to them behind closed doors [by their doctors and trainers] that is making them say no to getting vaccinated," Young said. '', Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open. Tsitsipas, speaking at a pre-tournament press conference in Cincinnati, said: 'I haven't [been vaccinated]. They are 1.7 miles . Djokovic announced his withdrawal from the years last Grand Slam tournament on Twitter on Thursday, hours before the draw for the event was revealed. Itsroutineto get vaccines for all sorts of things. Despite losing bulk to a bout with COVID-19, Bryson DeChambeau has no plans to get vaccinated any time soon. Novak Djokovic is the only men's player in the world's top 100 rankings not to get the vaccine, but he could still play at Wimbledon this year. While the NFL has yet to to be one of those leagues it, along with the players' union (NFLPA), is pushing for more testing among double-jabbed players amid a rise in breakthrough cases. DC Proper Finally Has Its Own Professional Football Team, This Town Is One of the South's Best-Kept Secrets, 21-Year WhistlePig, A Sub-Dial Timex Marlin and the Most Cushioned Hoka Ever, Introducing: The Marathon 46mm Arctic JDD, 21 Dopamine-Inducing Sneaker Deals to Ease You Into the Weekend, The Best Air Purifier for Every Type of Home, Its Your Last Chance to Take $700 off the Mirror, Fullys Sale Is the Home Office Furniture Blowout Youve Been Waiting For. Many have decided against revealing whether they've received the jab. Thank you. 8. Novak is a great champion and it is very unfortunate that he will be unable to compete at the 2022 U.S. Open, as he is unable to enter the country due to the federal governments vaccination policy for non-U.S. citizens, said Stacey Allaster, the U.S. Open tournament director. This is not ok., But, of course, ridiculing and bullying is exactly what Beasley wants. 'Seriously? DeChambeau isnt vaccinated. And worse than even that, hes dressing mistruths and misdirections in language intended to suggest that hes doing at-risk Americans a service. 1 than anyone else in the history of the ATP rankings. In the NFL, that means limited access to team facilities, restrictions on the number of people and types of venues players may gather in for social or team-related purposes, and expectations of appropriate PPE use. Is the 2021 US Open the perfect time for the next generation of tennis to takeover. The other day, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith called the league a microcosm of our country. He meant it as an excuse for why NFL vaccination rates are lagging: Theyre not far off from the nations as a whole. Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open, Djokovic wrote, wishing luck to his fellow players, and said he would keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again.. That's all we can do," he said. Not a big deal? Three of Djokovics Slam trophies came at the U.S. Open, in 2011, 2015 and 2018. 6 this week, in part because no rankings points were awarded at Wimbledon this year. A similar situation arose in the National Football League (NFL) in the US. "It hasn't been tested enough and it has side effects. Theyre caked in reason. In a statement released Wednesday, the U.S . "For athletes, their bodies are their most precious commodity," Britton explains. 7-ranked Andrey Rublev from Russia are among the unvaccinated bunch. Tennis star Novak Djokovic has revealed he is not vaccinated against COVID-19, and will continue to sit out tournaments that require players to have been administered the vaccine. In the Premier League, the top division in the UK, 23% players were not double jabbed or had taken the first dose. ", Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Inside the enclave surrounded by pro-Russia forces, China looks at reforms to deepen Xi's control, 'The nurses wanted me to feel guilty about my abortion, From Afghan TV fame to a US factory floor. We are encouraged that 97 percent of the Top 100 players are vaccinated leading into this year's Australian Open. It would help if big names were more vocal on this issue, or at the very least, less mysterious about whether they were vaccinated or not. Its one of those things, if you want to do it, do it, and if you dont, then dont do it. When watching Tsitsipas play Andy Murray in Round 1, Verzbolovskis said she was unable to root for Tsitsipas the same way she used to and went all in on supporting Murray. "As athletes, I feel like they have a responsibility and I believe in science, so I don't understand what research they're doing that is so opposed to vaccines. Former first seed Victoria Azarenka drew attention to the double standard between players and spectators, and said: 'It's bizarre that fans have to be vaccinated and players are not.'. While the exact number of unvaccinated players has not been confirmed, world No. Djokovic is a 35-year-old from Serbia who owns 21 major championships, one behind Rafael Nadal for the mens record. It's an easy and straight-forward decision, said Taylor Young, 29, a fan visiting from Cincinnati. Why are we afraid to pull the trigger?. Unvaccinated tennis players and other athletes are unlikely to get visas to enter Australia, a government official said on Tuesday, putting Novak Djokovic's Australian Open title defence and bid . (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File). The Associated Press contributed to this report. But it wasn't the strict vaccination policy that led Monteiro to get his jabs ahead of the competition. The "97%" number is noteworthy. Peter van den Berg/USA TODAY Sports. The WTA, meanwhile, said it encouraged players to get vaccinated, but stopped short of a mandate, saying it is "not requiring players to get a vaccine as this is a personal decision, and one which we respect.". Theyre being delivered by men who have been trained by well-compensated handlers to talk in an ambiguous, non-committal brand of pro-sports-guy-ese every single day, whove mastered the art of saying something without saying too much. Arts Aug 25, 2022 11:24 AM EST. A lucky loser from qualifying will replace Djokovic in the draw. Thats a head-scratcher. Potapova to reach Austin quarters, Nadal-Alcaraz exhibition canceled with both hurt, Djokovic into Dubai quarters; Rublev advances, Ex-chair ump promoted to US Open tourney ref, Top-seeded Linette ousted in ATX Open 1st round, Berrettini advances in Acapulco; Norrie pulls out, Thiem falls in Chile for third straight loss on clay, Alcaraz out of Acapulco with hamstring strain, Nadal (hip) pulls out of Indian Wells, Miami Open, Azarenka: No vax mandate for players 'bizarre', How Novak Djokovic mastered his few faults to become the GOAT. Copyright 2023 InsideHook. Its bigger than baseball., Heres Sam Darnold, the new quarterback for the Carolina Panthers: Its everyones choice whether they want to get vaccinated or not. If a game cannot be rescheduled during the 18-week schedule due to a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players, the team with the outbreak will be credited with a loss. In a way, the rule could even be seen as generous last year, after the entire quarterback corps of the Denver Broncos came down with COVID-19, a former practice squad wide receiver had to line up behind center. "There is a lot of . Unidad Editorial Informacin Deportiva, S.L.U. A spokeswoman for the women's professional tennis tour said Wednesday that 85% of the WTA's top 100 players are fully vaccinated; a spokesman for the men's professional tour tweeted late . 1 Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, who have raised concerns about getting vaccinated. Heres J.D. By Tanner Garrity @tannergarrity. For people at home who are vacillating on vaccination, that makes these points extremely seductive: theyre a permission slip to keep doing you. Except, these arent opinions. There is no vaccine mandate at the tournament for players or their support teams meaning that an unvaccinated American would be allowed to compete and spectators will not be required to wear masks. Aaron Rodgers is the most recent famous athlete to make headlines because of being unvaccinated. Why are so many people acting like this is some kind of affront to our liberties? At full capacity, Arthur Ashe Stadium can seat nearly 24,000 fans. That yelling reached a crescendo after his own general manager, Brandon Beane, told the press that he would release players that refused to get vaccinated if it hindered a return to normalcy. Novak Djokovic, the 21-time major champion and former world No. All that attention and adulation is well-earned. Meanwhile, Tsitsipas appears to have changed his mind after stressing during the US Open that he shouldn't be forced to get the jab. 1 spot the following month but lost it again in June. While in the NBA and the NFL the figure of fully vaccinated people has reached 90 percent, only around 75 percent of the professional golfers have reportedly received the jab. There is no vaccine mandate at the tournament for players or their support teams meaning that an unvaccinated American would be allowed to compete and spectators will not be required to wear masks. Among the other players who will . He fell to No. There are some athletes, such as the boxer Floyd Mayweather who appeal to individual freedom and others such as tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas who simply refuse to state whether they have been vaccinated or not. 1 Victoria Azarenka said it was "bizarre" that fans have to be vaccinated while players do not. 1, Medvedev tops Rublev for 3rd straight Dubai title, Paul outlasts Fritz to reach Mexican Open final, Jarry, Munar among semifinalists at Chile Open, Volynets stops Stearns to reach first WTA semi, Fritz def. They will be placed under testing protocols, but not disqualified from the tournament, if they come in contact with a team member who has tested positive. Tennis champion Novak Djokovic is apparently anti-vaccine. Bryson DeChambeau got a lot of credit for how he spent his quarantine. If thats what it takes for people to sit down for a combined five minutes of shots, so be it. After Beasley and others throughout the NFL got upset, Beane gave his take on their response: Seems like more of an issue of, I dont want to be told what to do., And thats pretty much what Harvard Universitys T.H. . All players, staff, officials and fans need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the tournament venue. "It was accepted and confirmed by the Federal Court and the minister himself in the Ministry for Immigration in Australia. Novak Djokovic will not play in the U.S. Open, as expected, because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and thus is not allowed to travel to the United States . Djokovic is next expected to play for the Serbian team at the Davis Cup or for the European team at the Laver Cup. All Rights Reserved. August 25, 2022 / 12:11 PM / AP. Wednesday evening, after her second-round victory at Louis Armstrong Stadium, former world No. Tiafoe, advances to Mexican Open semis, 2nd-seeded Cerundolo ousted from Chile Open, Krejcikova takes down No. On Twitter, fans shared similar frustrations. And it's just absurd for me. Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images. Around 30% of the top-100 men's and women's . 'I feel like that should be a personal decision, whether you want to get vaccinated or not. ", Azarenka called out players on the tour, stating she would understand if the players' opinions were based on heavy research and stats, but said that kind of knowledge is "missing in a lot of players.". Tennis players' approach to the vaccination and how they speak about it has changed several fans' opinions of them. "I am 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," he wrote alongside the clip. Tennis fans were still left irritated Monday over hour-long delays to enter the first day of the tournament as ticketholders scrambled to produce proof of vaccination after the sudden rule reversal. James famously spends $1.5 million on his body each year. Only limited exceptions apply. The NFL have imposed strict measures for the teams with unvaccinated players and by June an estimated 93 percent of the players had already received the jab. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic, By Darko Bandic, Dusan Stojanovic, Associated Press.