Novak Djokovic has canceled his participation in the ATP tournament in Indian Wells. According to US politicians, he was previously refused entry because he was not vaccinated against the corona virus.
The organizers of the ATP tournament announced Djokovic’s withdrawal on Monday night (March 6th, 2023). The tournament in Indian Wells is the first of the year in the Masters 1000 category, making it one of the most important dates of the year after the Grand Slam tournaments and the ATP Finals. The organizers of the tournament in California did not give a reason, and Djokovic has not yet commented either.
Earlier, Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott reported that the United States Department of Homeland Security had denied a request for an exemption for world number one Serbia. Djokovic is not vaccinated against the corona virus – and this is still a requirement for entry into the USA.
USA: Health emergency is to be lifted – but not until May
The USA is one of the few countries that still require a vaccination to enter the country. Even a status as recovered or a negative PCR test does not change that. These and similar entry rules were introduced in numerous countries during the pandemic in order to prevent the spread of the virus and thus prevent severe cases or deaths.
Most countries around the world have now lifted such restrictions. The World Health Organization had in early 2022 after discovering the omicron variant of the coronavirus a lifting of entry restrictions recommended, “as they add no value but continue to contribute to the economic and social burdens.” Germany ended all entry restrictions related to the virus on June 11, 2022.
The United States Transportation Security Administration but extended an order to January 9, 2023, which now makes vaccination mandatory upon entry until April 10, 2023. Exceptions apply, for example, to citizens of the USA or children. An end to the measures is foreseeable: the House of Representatives recently voted to lift the health emergency on May 11, 2023. But it is too late for Djokovic to participate in the tournaments.
Tournament organizers demanded Djokovic’s entry
Previously, several tennis organizations in the USA had publicly spoken out in favor of Djokovic entering the country. “Djokovic is one of the greatest champions our sport has ever seen”wrote the country’s tennis association USTA and the US Open on Twitter. “The USTA and US Open hope Novak’s application to enter the country is successful and that fans can see him back in action in Indian Wells and Miami.”
The 35-year-old’s withdrawal from the Miami Open in Florida, a tournament in the Masters 1000 category that takes place after Indian Wells, has not yet been confirmed. The organizers in Miami also wrote to Djokovic: “We hope he will be allowed into the country so the people of Florida have a chance to see him play again.” It would be the fourth time in a row that Djokovic missed the two tournaments, and he did not play at the US Open 2022 either. In 2021 he reached the final of the Grand Slam tournament. The US Open 2023 will start in August – after the planned lifting of the health emergency.
Djokovic expelled from Australia in 2022
In January 2022, Djokovic tried to enter Australia without the vaccination required there at the time. The authorities declared his visa invalid, Djokovic had to go into quarantine and leave again after a legal dispute. In 2023 Djokovic played in Melbourne and won the title.
Djokovic was criticized for his handling of the virus at the start of the 2020 pandemic. At that time he organized the “Adria Tour”, a series of tournaments with international travel movements and fans present. While the tournament in Wimbledon was canceled and football had just managed to resume play in front of empty ranks with detailed hygiene concepts, Djokovic’s tournament should be like before the pandemic, also with numerous fans. After a few matches and several infections among the players, including Djokovic himself, the tournament was canceled.