Novak Djokovic denied US visa to play in Miami Open, due to no COVID vaccine

18.03.2023 - 13:27 euronews.com

Top-ranked tennis player Novak Djokovic has been denied entry to the United States, where he was hoping to play in the upcoming Miami Open tournament.

American authorities currently require anyone arriving in the country to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, but it is possible to apply for an exemption.In March, Djokovis applied for a vaccine waiver to play in the Indian Wells tournament, but that request was also turned down by US Homeland Security on the grounds he is unvaccinated.

However, the US is ending its COVID-19 emergency declaration on 11 May, which will allow foreign air travellers to enter the county without being vaccinated.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion's last competitive match was a straight sets defeat by Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships at the start of March.

tennis Novak Djokovic Usa county Miami India Dubai

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida: Daniil Medvedev hasn’t won a title in the United States since capturing the 2021 US Open, when he turned away Novak Djokovic’s bid for a calendar-year Grand Slam. Now the Miami Open’s No. 4 seed is one victory from a fresh American title, beating fellow Russian Karen Khachanov 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3 in the semifinals Friday, the same day Wimbledon announced Russians will be allowed back — with conditions.

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MIAMI GARDENS, Florida: Carlos Alcaraz picked up a straight-set win at the Miami Open on Friday to keep his world No. 1 ranking over idle Novak Djokovic.

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DUBAI: World No. 1 men’s tennis player Novak Djokovic described Dubai as his “second home” and hailed its winning mentality at Dubai Future District Fund’s annual general meeting yesterday.

Djokovic has 'no regrets' about missing US events over COVID-19 vaccine status

Novak Djokovic said he had no regrets about missing tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami due to his COVID-19 vaccination status but hoped that he would be allowed into the United States later this year for the US Open Grand Slam.