NFL star Aaron Rodgers has defended Novak Djokovic after sharing a controversial image of the Serb.
Last weekend, Rodgers attended the US Open and posted a photo of the tennis star - but crossed out a Moderna sign in the background.
The 39-year-old also accompanied his message with the hashtag '#novaxdjokovic' - refering to Djokovic's longstanding refusal to get the coronavirus vaccine.
The Serb was banned from competing at the US Open last year but has since been allowed to take part in the tournament again.
NFL star Aaron Rodgers shared the following image of US Open player Novak Djokovic
And Rodgers, via the New York Post, has now explained his controversial photo and set the record straight.
“Well, I’m a big fan of Novak and I got to see him in person," said the NFL star.
“I took that photo and then realized that there was a little Moderna sign in the background.
"Novak is one of the most fit athletes in the world and I think that anybody looking at the situation realizes how ridiculous it was to not allow him into the country with [his] level of fitness and the way he takes care of his body.
"Like him, I care about health and I was just having a little bit of fun with it.”
Rodgers previously sparked a backlash in 2021 when he said he was 'immunised' - only to then test positive for coronavirus.
He later claimed he was allergic to some of the ingredients in the vaccine, though insisted he was no anti-vaxxer.
With or without the jab, there's no denying Djokovic remains as formidable as ever on the tennis court.
The veteran is just two victories away from matching Margaret Court on 24 Grand Slam titles, with Ben Shelton up next.
He was too strong for Taylor Fritz earlier in the week, powering his way to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 victory.
And Djokovic said after his win over his American opponent that he was 'lucky' to have such a strong group in his corner as he looks to achieve more Grand Slam glory.
"This is the sport that has given me so much in my life," he said.
"Coming from Serbia, a war-torn country when I was growing up, I faced a lot of adversity.
"I was lucky to encounter some very knowledgeable and passionate people.
"Without their support, and my parents, I wouldn't be here without their love and incredible sacrifice.
"That is the long answer for what goes through my head when I hear those numbers [of records he has broken]. There's a lot of things I am very grateful for."
Shelton booked his own place in the last four with a win over Frances Tiafoe.
And the American is excited for the showdown with Djokovic, with the two players yet to go up against each other.
He said: "Definitely a tough challenge. I think that whenever you play somebody for the first time and someone who has been in this situation so many times and come out victorious so many times, that's in the back of your head.
"You just know how, you know, rock solid the guy is and how mentally tough, how physically tough. So that's definitely something that I have to game-plan for.
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Ben Shelton stands in the way of Novak Djokovic reaching yet another US Open final
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"I also think that, you know, it's an advantage with my game style playing someone who's never played me before.
"I think that I can bring some things to the table that maybe you don't see in your normal match that you play on the ATP Tour.
"So I'm definitely going to try to bring some things to the table that are different and hopefully disruptive on Friday."
