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Novak Djokovic was named on the entry listing for the upcoming Indian Wells tennis event on Wednesday, however he’s anticipated to be barred from travelling to the United States to compete on account of his ongoing refusal to be vaccinated towards COVID-19.
The Serbian world primary is a five-time champion on the ATP 1000 occasion, however has not performed a match on the laborious courts within the Southern California desert since 2019.
The United States has in place a vaccine requirement for overseas air travellers that’s not anticipated to be lifted earlier than important draw motion kicks off on March ninth.
U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration final month stated it could elevate COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11, practically three years after the United States imposed sweeping pandemic measures to curb the unfold of the sickness.
Indian Wells event director Tommy Haas just lately stated that it could be a “disgrace” if Djokovic was not allowed to compete at Indian Wells and different tournaments within the United States this 12 months. Read full story
Haas stated Indian Wells organisers would do all the things to assist Djokovic’s probabilities of enjoying.
Djokovic, probably the most high-profile unvaccinated athletes on the earth, missed final 12 months’s Australian Open and was deported from the nation on account of his vaccine standing.
He regained entry into the event this 12 months and gained it to say a record-tying twenty second Grand Slam title and the world primary rating.
The 35-year-old has beforehand said he would miss Grand Slams quite 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, teenage world quantity two Carlos Alcaraz and defending champion Taylor Fritz have been amongst these named on Wednesday’s entry listing.
One the ladies’s aspect, world primary and defending champion Iga Swiatek, Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and rising Americans Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff will compete for the celebrated title.
