Novak Djokovic of Serbia competes throughout the men’s single quarter final match of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship on March 3, 2023.
Waleed Zein | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
America Tennis Association and the U.S. Open are hoping Novak Djokovic is successful in his bid to enter the country after the Serbian, who isn’t vaccinated against Covid-19, applied for special permission last month.
Djokovic, one of the vital high-profile athletes unvaccinated against Covid, said last week he hoped for a positive final result shortly after applying to enter the U.S. to compete in ATP Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami this month.
“Novak Djokovic is one the best champions our sport has ever seen,” the U.S. Open Twitter account said on Friday.
“The USTA and U.S. Open are hopeful that Novak is successful in his petition to enter the country, and that the fans will give you the option to see him back in motion at Indian Wells and Miami,” it added.
The U.S. vaccine requirement for foreign air travelers isn’t expected to be lifted before the important draw begins at Indian Wells on March 9 and the Miami Open later within the month, meaning Djokovic could miss out for a second straight 12 months.
U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration said in January it could lift Covid emergency declarations on May 11, but Djokovic — named on the Indian Wells entry list — said he had submitted the required documentation for special permission.
Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas said in January it could be a “disgrace” if Djokovic was not allowed to compete this 12 months after the Serbian also missed last 12 months’s U.S. Open.
Djokovic, who missed last 12 months’s Australian Open and was deported from the country because of his vaccination status, has said he would skip Grand Slams reasonably than have a Covid shot.
The 35-year-old won a record-extending tenth Australian Open title and his twenty second Grand Slam in January.