Novak Djokovic has been named on the entry listing for the upcoming Indian Wells tennis event, however he’s anticipated to be barred from travelling to the United States to compete resulting from his ongoing refusal to be vaccinated towards COVID-19.
The Serbian world No.1 is a five-time champion on the ATP 1000 occasion however has not performed a match on the arduous courts within the southern California desert since 2019.
The US has in place a vaccine requirement for international air travellers that’s not anticipated to be lifted earlier than fundamental draw motion kicks off on March 9.
US President Joe Biden’s administration final month stated it could raise COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11, almost three years after the United States imposed sweeping pandemic measures to curb the unfold of the sickness.
Indian Wells event director Tommy Haas not too long ago stated that it could be a “disgrace” if Djokovic was not allowed to compete at Indian Wells and different tournaments within the US this 12 months.
Haas stated Indian Wells organisers would do all the pieces to assist Djokovic’s possibilities of taking part in.
Djokovic, probably the most high-profile unvaccinated athletes on this planet, missed final 12 months’s Australian Open and was deported from the nation resulting from his vaccine standing.
He regained entry into the event this 12 months and gained it to assert a record-tying twenty second grand slam title and the world No.1 rating.
The 35-year-old has beforehand said he would miss grand slams somewhat than have a COVID vaccine.
Even if Djokovic is unable to compete at Indian Wells there’ll nonetheless be loads of expertise on present.
Spanish nice Rafael Nadal, injured at Melbourne Park final month, teenage world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz, defending champion and world No.8 Taylor Fritz and Australia’s Twentieth-ranked Nick Kyrgios had been amongst these named on Wednesday’s entry listing.
One the ladies’s facet, world No.1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek, Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and rising Americans Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff will compete for the celebrated title.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
