The Serb has applied for an exemption because he has not been vaccinated against covid in order to compete in the two 1,000 American Masters and keep number one against Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic controversy over covid vaccines is not over yet. The world’s number one has a problem with the United States, whose deadline to enter the country without getting vaccinated is not until April 10. This means the Serb was unable to play the 1,000 Masters in Indian Wells and Miami, not only two of the most prestigious tournaments in the world, but also with 2,000 points on the line.
The Serb’s plan is to play in Dubai next week and then wait for the United States to make a decision on whether or not to allow him into the country given his unvaccinated status. “My plans after Dubai depend on the United States. I’m waiting for an answer. It’s not up to me,” Djokovic said at a press conference in Belgrade, his hometown. “Everything is in progress. The people of Indian Wells and Miami want me to play their tournaments and now all I can do is wait for a positive decision, but it’s not in my hands,” added the Australian Open champion.
Djokovic already missed the two American tournaments last year and will therefore not defend any points, but the tennis player does not want to pass up the opportunity to increase his lead over Carlos Alcaraz, who is lurking in second place in the ranking.
The Murcian is currently 500 points behind Djokovic and, with a win in Rio de Janeiro (a tournament he is playing this week), Alcaraz could match the Serb at the top of the table, who has not played since he was ten Australia Open won. and twenty-second Grand Slam. Djokovic, despite Alcaraz’s approach, would overtake him the following week with a good result in Dubai.
The situation for the number one would of course become much more complicated if Alcaraz is allowed to play in the ‘Sunshine Double’, namely Indian Wells (from March 8 to 19) and Miami (from March 22 to April 2). The Murcian will defend 1,360 points for the semi-finals he achieved in Indian Wells and the title in Miami and given his current level, it is possible that he repeats or improves his results.
In any case, Djokovic would have no problem playing the US Open next September. The Serb was unable to participate last year due to the entry ban for unvaccinated people.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
