Djokovic missed last year’s Australian Open and was deported from the country due to being unvaccinated against COVID.
Novak Djokovic could end the year as the world’s top-ranked player but it would be a “disgrace” if his chances are affected by not being able to compete in the United States due to his unvaccinated status, Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas said.
Djokovic missed last year’s Australian Open and was deported from the country due to being unvaccinated against COVID. His three-year visa ban was overturned in November and he is back at the Grand Slam looking to win a 10th crown and 22nd major. The Serbian was, however, not able to travel to New York for the 2022 US Open without proof of vaccination, the same reason that forced him to skip ATP 1000 events at Indian Wells and Miami earlier in the year. U.S. authorities said this month the requirement for foreign air travelers to be vaccinated against COVID would be in place until at least April 10, meaning Djokovic will miss out on Indian Wells and Miami again. Haas, also a former world number two player, said he hoped the rules would be relaxed sooner to allow Djokovic to compete. “If Djokovic stays healthy, I don’t see how he’s not going to be number one,” Haas told reporters at Melbourne Park on Monday. “Obviously the one problem being that he still cannot come to the U.S. If he doesn’t play Indian Wells and Miami in March , they’re supposed to lift those mandates by mid-April. “It would be nice to see if we could maybe lift those a little earlier and have him come to play Indian Wells and Miami. 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.” Haas added Indian Wells organizers would do “everything” to help Djokovic’s chances of playing there. Indian Wells runs from March 8-19 and the Miami Open from March 22-April 2. The 35-year-old has previously stated he would miss Grand Slams rather than have a COVID vaccine.
Please follow us on Google to support usUnited States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Injured hamstring major headache for Djokovic in De Minaur testNovak Djokovic is on track for a record-extending 10th Australian Open title but question marks remain over his fitness ahead of Monday's fourth-round clash with Alex de Minaur as his injured left hamstring continues to cause problems.
Read more »
On the Front Lines of the Western Water Wars - CNN One Thing - Podcast on CNN AudioDespite recent rainstorms in California, the decades-long megadrought in the West shows no signs of easing. As a result, some states have been forced to pull back on the water they use from the Colorado River. In this episode, we hear the story of one Arizona community forced to take legal action against the city of Scottsdale after being cut off from its water supply – and why it could serve as a warning to the rest of the country as the climate crisis continues. Guest: Lucy Kafanov, CNN Correspondent
Read more »
'Disgrace' if Djokovic not allowed to enter U.S. and compete, says HaasNovak Djokovic could end the year as the world's top-ranked player but it would be a 'disgrace' if his chances are affected by not being able to compete in the United States due to his unvaccinated status, Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas said.
Read more »
Novak Djokovic ‘fake’ injury uproar intensifies at Australian OpenNovak Djokovic has liberally mentioned how he is suffering through a hamstring injury at the Australian Open and then played the victim when some questioned the severity of the injury.
Read more »
Djokovic says injury doubters give him extra motivationNovak Djokovic said any questions over whether he has genuinely been struggling with a hamstring injury at the Australian Open only give him extra strength and motivation.
Read more »