The American Tennis Federation and the organizers of US Open have shown their support for Novak Djokovic in his request to enter the United States, even though he was not vaccinated against Covid, to compete in Indian Wells and Miami Masters 1000.
“Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest champions our sport has ever known.. The USTA and the US Open hope that he will be successful in his bid to enter the country and that fans will be able to see him in action at Indian Wells and Miami,” the two organizations wrote in a joint statement.
The 35-year-old Serbian world number one has asked US authorities for special permission to enter the United States, where he is awaiting a response.
Washington does not allow unvaccinated international travelers into the country. The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently indicated that this measure will not change until mid-April.
However, the Indian Wells tournament begins next Wednesday in the California desert, running until March 19, and will be followed by the Miami Open from March 22-April 2.
Djokovicwho shares the record for the number of Grand Slams won (22) with Rafael Nadalsaid this week in Dubai that he is still waiting to find out if the United States will grant him this authorization. “If they reject me, I will withdraw from the tournament, of course, before the draw” scheduled for Monday, he said before accepting his first loss of the season in the semifinals against Daniil Medvedev.
Because of his vaccination status, Djokovic was kicked out of Australia shortly before the 2022 edition of the Melbourne Major. And he was not allowed to come to the United States to defend his chances at Indian Wells or the US Open. The last time he played on US soil was at Flushing Meadows in 2021.
Source: La Verdad
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