Novak Djokovic’s bid to realize entry to the United States for ATP occasions at Indian Wells and Miami acquired help from the US Tennis Association and US legislation makers on Friday.
The Serbian star is at the moment barred from getting into the United States as a result of he’s unvaccinated in opposition to Covid-19, however has petitioned US authorities for particular permission to enter.
The US Open Twitter feed featured a submit on Friday saying American tennis authorities hoped he can be allowed to enter.
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“Novak Djokovic is one the greatest champions our sport has ever seen,” the submit learn.
“The USTA and US Open are hopeful that Novak is successful in his petition to enter the country, and that the fans will be able to see him back in action at Indian Wells and Miami.” The Indian Wells ATP 1000 occasion begins subsequent Wednesday within the California desert and is adopted by the celebrated event in Miami.
The United States nonetheless doesn’t permit unvaccinated worldwide travellers to enter the nation, with the Transportation Security Administration lately indicating the coverage wouldn’t change till a minimum of mid-April.
Republican Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio despatched a letter to President Joe Biden on Friday, urging the Biden administration to grant the 22-time Grand Slam champion a waiver to enter the US for the Miami Open later this month, regardless of his vaccine standing.
“It has come to our attention that your administration is in receipt of a request to waive the current vaccine mandate for international travellers entering the United States from top-ranked men’s tennis player Novak Djokovic,” the letter started.
“We write to urge you to grant the requested waiver, which is necessary to allow Mr. Djokovic to compete in the Miami Open professional tennis tournament held in our home state of Florida beginning March 19, 2023.”
The letter cites the president’s remarks throughout a “60 Minutes” interview in September that the “pandemic is over” and Dr. Anthony Fauci’s feedback on the efficacy of the vaccine as motive sufficient to grant Djokovic a waiver.
“Mr. Djokovic is a world-class athlete in peak physical condition who is not at high-risk of severe complications from COVID-19.
“It seems both illogical and misaligned with the opinions of your own administration to not grant him the waiver he requests so that he may travel to the US to compete in a professional event.”
It continued: “The lack of public health risk, along with the clear benefit of his participation in an event that will be a major driver for our local economies should make the decision before you simple and serve as a precedent for others in his position, while hopefully leading to the full reversal of this mandate for other foreign visitors who wish to legally travel to our great nation.”
Djokovic mentioned in Dubai this week that he was nonetheless ready to listen to if the US would give him particular permission to enter, telling reporters that he hoped to listen to a choice earlier than the Indian Wells draw is carried out on Monday.
“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I’m not allowed, I’m going to pull out, of course, before the draw,” the world primary mentioned.
Djokovic’s vaccination standing noticed him deported from Australia shortly earlier than the 2022 Australian Open. After profitable Wimbledon he additionally missed the US Open final 12 months due to the journey restriction.
He returned to Australia in January, profitable the 2023 Australian Open for a record-equalling twenty second Grand Slam singles title.
He took his match win streak to twenty in Dubai this week earlier than falling on Friday to Daniil Medvedev within the semi-finals.
Source: www.news.com.au
