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Serbia’s Novak Djokovic has utilized for particular permission to enter the United States to be able to play within the Indian Wells and Miami Open, his brother Djordje revealed, regardless of an present requirement for overseas air vacationers coming into the nation to have taken a COVID vaccine. According to Reuters, the present vaccine mandate isn’t anticipated to be lifted earlier than each tournaments start in March.
Djokovic, 35, has change into arguably essentially the most distinguished athlete on the earth to not take a COVID vaccine, sticking by his determination regardless of being deported from Australia earlier than the 2022 Australian Open as a consequence of his vaccination standing. Djokovic made his triumphant return to the Australian Open this yr after the nation’s strict vaccine mandates had been discarded, successful the event for his twenty second Grand Slam title.
“Novak has to acquire particular permission because the U.S. remains to be denying entry to non-vaccinated individuals, which is just unbelievable as the entire world is open and sports activities occasions characteristic vaccinated and non-vaccinated athletes alike,” Djordje Djokovic informed Serbian information company Tanjug. “Novak has submitted all of the required documentation and a request, and the administrators of the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments have publicly mentioned Novak is required at these tournaments and that they need him to return. There are only some days to go earlier than a choice is made and what stays for us to do is hope for a optimistic final result.”
Presently, present vaccine mandates for overseas air vacationers to the U.S. are anticipated to be lifted in mid-April. But in Djokovic’s case, there was hope {that a} decision could be labored out, a sentiment that has been expressed all the best way as much as Indian Wells event director Tommy Haas.
“It could be good to see if we may perhaps raise these just a little earlier and have him come to play Indian Wells and Miami,” Haas lately informed reporters. “I believe he desires to play, so we should always give him the prospect. Hopefully we are able to have him there.
“I imply, it might be a shame in my eyes if he wasn’t coming to those occasions, or not allowed to return.”
