Novak Djokovic has declared that he will not play in Indian Wells in California or in Miami because not being vaccinated, he cannot enter American soil.
The 20-big-tournament champion tweeted on Wednesday that the Centers for Disease Control “confirmed the regulations won’t change, so I won’t be able to play in the United States.”
Not vaccinated against COVID-19, Djokovic has taken part in only one tournament this year, in Dubai. He lost in the quarter-finals, against Jiri Vesely.
Ranked second in the world, the 34-year-old Serb was expelled from Australia in January and was unable to defend his title in Melbourne.
Rafael Nadal triumphed in Australia, claiming a 21st Grand Slam title and breaking the stalemate in this chapter with Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Djokovic’s name was entered into the BNP Paribas Open draw on Tuesday, even though the United States requires foreign visitors to be vaccinated to enter the country.
The tournament had already announced that everyone at the competition site must be fully vaccinated.
“I was automatically entered into the draw (to Indian Wells and Miami), but I knew it was unlikely that I would be able to travel,” Djokovic wrote.
The Miami tournament will take place from March 23 to April 3.
In June 2020, Djokovic organized a series of friendly matches in Serbia and Croatia where there were no rules as to the distance between people or the wearing of masks.
These matches have ceased following positive coronavirus results in some players, including Djokovic.
On February 28, he ceded the ATP summit to Daniil Medvedev.
The next day, Djokovic let it be known that he was no longer working with Marian Vajda, who had been his coach for 15 years.