Novak Djokovic asked the US authorities for special permission to enter their territory to participate in the tournaments that will be held in the states of California and Florida despite the fact that he was not vaccinated against Covid-19, the Serbian revealed Wednesday.
The Transportation Security Administration said coronavirus vaccination requirements for visitors arriving by air will continue through at least mid-April. The Indian Wells tournament will be held from March 6-19, and the Miami tournament from March 20-April 2.
“Everything is going,” said Djokovic, from his training site in Belgrade. I really wish I was there. »
Djokovic is one of the greatest athletes in the world who has not been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Last year, the 35-year-old veteran was kicked out of Australia on the eve of the Australian Open due to his vaccination status. Djokovic competed in the tournament last month, after Australia lifted the vaccination requirement, on its way to winning its 22nd Grand Slam title – equaling Rafael Nadal’s mark.
And Djokovic confirmed, on Wednesday, that Nadal is still his main opponent, despite the rapid rise of the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who occupied the top of the world rankings until he suffered a leg injury.
” he [Alcaraz] He is clearly the next superstar of our sport, or already is, as Djokovic mentioned. I just feel like my rivalry with Nadal is inevitable.
He added, “Nadal was my biggest competitor, and he was probably my entire career.”
Djokovic hit another mark this week by joining legendary German player Steffi Graf with 377 weeks atop the world rankings.
“Stevie Graf is clearly one of the greatest players in the history of tennis, and I admire and respect him a lot,” said Djokovic. So, of course, it’s nice to be able to match his mark and potentially cross it next week. »
Djokovic confirmed that he will participate in the Dubai Open next week.
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