Novak Djokovic applies for special permission to enter the USA for Sunshine Double
Djokovic applies to play in the Indian Wells and Miami, despite the US COVID-19 regulations
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Novak Djokovic at 2019 Miami Open
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has submitted the required paperwork to compete in the Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami, according to his brother Djordje Djokovic. The Serbian may have to withdraw from the event since he is not vaccinated against COVID-19. The main event at Indian Wells starts on March 9, but the US is expected to eliminate the COVID-19 limitations on March 11.
The Serb has won Indian Wells five times and is a record-breaking, six-time Miami Open champion. Djokovic is also a four-time Sunshine Double winner. The 35-year-old has been unable to play in both ATP 1000 tournaments since 2019. Ever since the US COVID-19 policy, Djokovic has not participated in either of them.
In previous instances, Djokovic was restricted from playing in the 2022 Australian Open due to his vaccination status. The Serb has previously declared that he would rather miss major tournaments than take the vaccine. Talking to a Serbian news agency, Novak’s younger brother claimed that the issue is ‘out of their hands’.
“Unfortunately, it is something that is out of our hands,” Djordje Djokovic told Tanjug. “Novak needs to get a special permission to enter, considering that the USA still doesn’t let unvaccinated foreigners into the country, which is unbelievable, considering that we have seen big sporting manifestations with unvaccinated athletes throughout the world.”
Indian Wells director hopes Novak Djokovic is allowed to play in the tournament
According to the youngest of the Djokovic brothers, the decision will arrive in a few days’ time. Djokovic and his team are hoping for a ‘positive’ outcome from their request application. Additionally, the Indian Wells director, Tommy Haas also conveyed his support for Novak’s entry into the United States.
“It would be nice to see if we could maybe lift those (restrictions) a little earlier and have him come to play Indian Wells and Miami,” said Haas. “I think he wants to play, so we should give him the chance. Hopefully, we can have him there. I mean, it would be a disgrace in my eyes if he wasn’t coming to these events, or not allowed to come.”
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Tanisha Mohanty
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