Novak Djokovic likely out of Indian Wells and Miami Masters following latest developments in USA


Novak Djokovic likely out of Indian Wells and Miami Masters following latest developments in USA

Novak Djokovic (Image Credit: Stadium Astro)

Novak Djokovic missed out on some important ATP tournaments that are held every year in the USA last season due to his unvaccinated status against Covid-19. These include the US Open, Indian Wells Open, Cincinnati Masters, and Miami Open among other competitions. He lost the opportunity to participate in the Australian Open 2022 for the same reason.

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Moreover, he was deported from Australia, just a day before the start of the tournament. He was also slapped with a fine and a ban of three years. However, this year, the Federal Government of Australia overturned their decision and gave him an exemption to participate in the ATP events and Australian Open 2023.

However, the USA has decided to extend its non-exemption for vaccination against Covid-19 for non-US nationals to enter the country till April 10, 2023. Every non-American citizen has to show proof to the federal authorities of having taken two doses of vaccination against Covid-19. In the wake of higher cases of Covid-19 among the American population and the discovery of a new Covid strain in China, American authorities have decided to extend the enforcement of non-exemption.

Eminent sports journalist Jose Morgado shared this news. This means that Novak Djokovic will miss out on ATP 1000 tournaments, Indian Wells Open, and Miami Open if he is not granted any exemption.

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Novak Djokovic has not entered American soil in 2022. He played his last match against Daniil Medvedev at the US Open 2021 final, which he lost.

Related: Rohan Bopanna will pair with Sania Mirza at the Australian Open 2023

Novak Djokovic can lose lot of ATP points this season

Novak Djokovic with Miami Open trophy (Image Credit: Sky Sports)
Novak Djokovic with the Miami Open trophy (Image Credit: Sky Sports)

The US Government in 2021, did not exempt the 21-time Grand Slam singles title winner from participating in the ATP tournaments held on American soil. This led to great losses for the Serb. He not only lost the opportunity to win these tournaments but also lost the opportunity to gain some points and improve his ranking.

Novak Djokovic did not play in the Indian Wells Open, Miami Open, or Cincinnati Masters tournaments. All three are ATP Masters tournaments with 1000 ranking points at stake in each competition. In his absence, Carlos Alcaraz won the Miami Open men’s singles title while Taylor Fritz won the Indian Wells Open men’s singles title. Borna Coric won the Cincinnati Masters men’s singles title.

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He also lost the opportunity to play in the Hall of Fame Open, Del Ray Beach Open, Washington Open, and even the Canadian Open (which is an ATP 1000 tournament) with the US Open. This time, however, every tennis fan will be hoping that the US Government will budge and like the Australian Government will allow him to play in the ATP tournaments as well as in the US Open 2023.

Related: “It’s not healthy for the body at all”, Casper Ruud plans to take a break from competitive tennis after the Australian Open 2023

Related: “Playing for nothing,” Rafael Nadal flags a drawback in the United Cup format