Novak Djokovic denied entry to play at Miami Open due to Covid-19 vax
Djokovic was also not allowed to play during the Masters 1000 event in California which is still ongoing and the Miami Open is expected to start next week.
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Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia on January 21, 2023 (Reuters)
After not being provided a waiver to enter the US due to not being vaccinated against Covid-19, tennis player Novak Djokovic will not be participating at the Miami Open.
On The Tennis Channel on Saturday, Tournament director James Blake spoke with disappointment concerning the six-time Miami champion's denied entry. "We did all we could. We tried to talk to the government but it's out of our hands," Blake said, adding: "We tried and he wasn't able to play, same result as he had in Indian Wells."
Indian Wells in California is where Djokovic was also not allowed to play during the Masters 1000 event which is still ongoing. The Miami Open is expected to start next week.
Indian Wells tournament Director Tommy Haas considered that it will be "a disgrace" if tennis star Novak Djokovic continues to be barred from the United States because of his stance on Covid vaccines.
"We'd love to have him and he's our greatest champion, six times here, so we'd obviously love to have him here but unfortunately that's way above my pay grade," Blake stated.
"We exhausted all the options that we know of that we can handle," Blake expressed, adding: "Hopefully Novak will be back next year."
Tears of joy amid the pain
The tennis player missed last year's US Open for the same reason, but after being allowed to compete in this year's Australian Open, he went out victorious with his 10th crown at Melbourne for his 22nd career Grand Slam title.
After the win, the Serb climbed to his player's box to embrace his mother and broke down in uncontrollable tears.
Tears of joy 🥹
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023
Iconic moments at Rod Laver Arena.@DjokerNole • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/n1gUUjiY51
With US authorities expected to ease entry requirements in May regarding vaccinations, Djokovic would have a chance then to play at the US Open, which gave hope to Blake to state: "Hopefully he will be back probably in all the later events in the States, Cincinnati, and the US Open,"
The last time Djokovic participated in Miami was in 2019.
