Could Novak Djokovic Miss US Tennis Events?

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic could miss the Indian Wells and Miami Open ATP 1000 events this year if he remains unvaccinated against COVID-19, after United States authorities said non-nationals will need to have taken their shots to enter the country.

A statement from the Transportation Security Administration on Wednesday said the requirement for foreign air travellers to be fully vaccinated against the disease would be in place until April 10th, 2023. Indian Wells runs from March 6th – 19th and the Miami Open from March 20th – 2nd April.

Djokovic, 35, risks missing the two important hardcourt tournaments if he does not take the COVID19 vaccine. He was unable to defend his Australian Open title last year after being deported from Australia on the eve of the hardcourt major, due to his unvaccinated status.

The Serbian, who has won 21 Grand Slam titles, was also not able to travel to New York for the 2022 US Open without proof of vaccination, the same reason that had forced him to miss tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami.

The nine-time Australian Open champion is currently warming up for the 2023 season in Adelaide for the January 16th – 29th Australian Open, after his three-year travel ban for the country was waived in November.

• Read more: Djokovic Ready To Move On In Australia Open

That decision opened a path for him to target a 10th title at the Grand Slam and tie Rafael Nadal’s mark of 22 majors.

Djokovic, who previously stated he would miss Grand Slams rather than have the COVID vaccine, said last week that he would never forget how it felt to be deported from Australia but hoped to move on from the incident.

“What happened 12 months ago wasn’t easy to digest for some time but at the same time, I had to move on,” Djokovic said in his first news conference since landing in Australia.

Reuters/Chidi Nwoke.