Novak Djokovic's protest took place outside the US Open courts on day one as Joe Biden called

Novak Djokovic received a show of support via protests at the US Open after the 35-year-old pulled out of the tournament due to an inability to enter the United States. Fans held out hope that the 21-time unvaccinated Grand Slam champion would be granted a rare exemption to play under increased pressure on President Joe Biden, but the Serb upheld the decision last week.

Djokovic's reluctance to get a Covid shot has been unwavering, despite the global drama that unfolded when he arrived in Melbourne to try and compete at the Australian Open earlier this year. The veteran obviously wants to avoid such a rollercoaster this time around, as his position has been clarified in advance.

"Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it to [New York] this time for the US Open," he wrote on . "Thank you for your messages of love and support. Good luck to my fellow players! I will keep fit and positive and wait for the opportunity to compete again. See you world of tennis!"

President Biden has come under pressure from hordes of Djokovic fans and a group of American politicians, who feel the vaccine requirements to enter the country are misjudged.

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A group of protesters made their feelings known in court at the US Open in New York on Monday. A man was with a microphone gathering the crowd and shouting, "This makes no sense! Stick with Novak! Why are we still closed? Why is the United States still closed? Where's Novak?"

Djokovic has won the US Open three times in his illustrious career, most recently in 2018. His absence at Flushing Meadows will give Rafael Nadal the chance to shine in the all-time rankings of the Grand Slam with the Spaniard already has a lead of 22.

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The first day of action at the US Open, in which the Djokovic protests took place, saw 10th seed Taylor Fritz surprisingly beaten by compatriot Brandon Holt while young British prospect Jack Draper defeated Emil Ruusuvuori in straight sets. There was time for another surprising result as fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas fell at the first hurdle with a four-set loss to Daniel Galan.

Nick Kyrgios played what he called "one of the most uncomfortable matches of his career" against his doubles partner and good friend Thanasi Kokkinakis, winning 6-3 6-4 7-6. The Australian, who lost to Djokovic in the Wimbledon final last month and has 'weeds' with the Serb, says he can't wait for the US Open to be over so he can return to Australia.

"A big part of me just wants the US Open to be over so I can go home," he said. "It's just another tennis match for me. Whether I win or lose, it will always be the same for me: I go home, it's a win-win. For me, if I win, that's more money and another great result. And if I lose, I go home.

"It's brutal not being able to have the normality of your own bed or your own family for so long and then you have to deal with it all. The media, the fans, the practices, the games, the pressure, especially on my spectrum too - that's not normal."