Unvaccinated tennis star
Djokovic wants special permission from US authorities
02/23/2023 10:02 am
Novak Djokovic would like to play tennis tournaments in the USA, but the country’s entry regulations make this bureaucratically impossible: the Serb strictly refuses to be vaccinated – and is therefore not allowed to enter until at least mid-April. Now the exceptional player is hoping for an exemption.
Novak Djokovic has asked American authorities for a special permit to travel to the United States to compete in the top-flight Indian Wells and Miami tournaments, although he remains unvaccinated against the coronavirus. This was announced by the number 1 in the world on Wednesday.
The requirement that foreign air travelers must be fully vaccinated against the disease will remain in place until at least mid-April. The tournament in Indian Wells will take place from March 6th to 19th, the Miami Open is scheduled from March 20th to April 2nd. Both events are endowed with almost 9 million dollars, for the winner there are 1000 world ranking points. Both tournaments belong to the highest category on the ATP Tour.
“Everything is still in development,” said Djokovic in Belgrade. “I have a great desire to be there. I am very grateful to the tournament officials in Indian Wells and Miami and the tennis community for their public support. They want me to play in their tournaments.”
“You know my attitude”
At the beginning of the year, the 21-time Grand Slam tournament winner announced with a view to his tournament calendar and the extension of the entry requirements announced at the time: “Well, if it’s official, then so be it. I mean, what can I do? Nothing . That’s all. You know my attitude. It is what it is.” Djokovic continues to categorically rule out vaccination.
Djokovic is one of the most famous athletes not to be vaccinated against Covid-19. The 35-year-old missed the US Open last September due to entry regulations. He was also unable to play in Indian Wells and Miami in 2022. In January 2022, the Serb Djokovic was expelled from Australia before the Australian Open because of his vaccination status after a prank that lasted several days and involved the highest levels of government in both countries.
Djokovic returned a year later and won the tournament in January after Australia lifted its strict vaccination requirement. The win was his 22nd Grand Slam title, now sharing the record with Spaniard Rafael Nadal. Djokovic will soon claw a record that was once considered “forever”: The great dominator has already led the world rankings for 377 weeks in his career, just as long as the German tennis queen Steffi Graf for women. Another week at the top makes Djokovic the sole record holder. Djokovic will compete at the Dubai Open next week.