Novak Djokovic has applied to enter the United States next month so that he can play the Masters tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami. The winner of the last edition of the Australian Open has not been vaccinated and is therefore not allowed to enter the country in principle.
“Novak has to get special permission because the US still denies entry to unvaccinated people. That is really incredible, now that the whole world is open and sporting events welcome both vaccinated and unvaccinated athletes,” his brother Djordje Djokovic told the Serbian news agency Tanjug.
“Novak has submitted all required documents and a request. And the directors of Indian Wells and Miami have publicly said that Novak is of great value to their tournaments and they want him to come. A decision will be made in a few days and we can now only hope for a positive result.”
Djokovic said last month that he is seriously considering his request being rejected. Foreign travelers entering the United States before April 10 must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The prestigious Indian Wells tournament is scheduled from March 6 to 19. The Miami event will follow from March 20 through April 2. Djokovic was the best in Indian Wells five times and won the tournament in Miami six times.
35-year-old Djokovic is still undefeated this year. In the run-up to his tenth title at the Australian Open, he was also the best in Adelaide. With his tenth overall victory in Melbourne, he tied with Rafael Nadal, who alone held the record with 22 Grand Slam titles.
