The American Tennis Federation and the organizers of the US Open have shown their support for Novak Djokovic in his request to enter the United States, although not vaccinated against Covid, in order to compete in the Masters 1000. from Indian Wells and Miami. “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 application to enter the country, and that fans will be able to see him in action in Indian Wells and Miami, “wrote the two bodies in a press release. commmon.
The 35-year-old Serbian world number 1 has asked the American authorities for a special authorization to enter the United States, for which he is awaiting a response. Washington does not allow entry into the country to unvaccinated international travelers and the US Transportation Safety Agency (TSA) recently indicated that this measure will not change until at least mid-April.
Monday draw
However, the Indian Wells tournament begins next Wednesday in the Californian desert, until March 19, and will be followed by the Miami Open from March 22 until April 2. Djokovic, co-record holder of the number of Grand Slams won (22) with Rafael Nadal, said in Dubai this week that he was still waiting to know if the United States would grant him this authorization. “If it is refused to me, I will withdraw from the tournament of course, before the draw,” he said before conceding the first defeat of his season in the semi-final against Daniil Medvedev.
Due to his vaccination status, Djokovic had been expelled from Australia shortly before the 2022 edition of the Major in Melbourne. 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 a match on American soil was at Flushing Meadows in 2021.