Novak Djokovic not allowed to play in Miami Open after failing to get COVID-19 vaccination exemption

Tennis star Novak Djokovic will miss another U.S. event due to his decision not to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Djokovic banned from Miami Open after not receiving an exemption from vaccinationtournament director James Blake told the Tennis Channel.

Blake said Miami Open officials spoke with the US government about granting Djokovic an exemption, but that did not happen. The United States does not allow unvaccinated individuals born outside the United States to enter the country in accordance with current COVID-19 policy. This policy is expected to be lifted in May. The Miami Open starts on March 22nd.

Blake has made it clear that he wants Djokovic to be able to take part in the event, telling the Tennis Channel, “We would like to have the best players that can play.” Blake said the final decision was “out of our hands”.

Djokovic has also been denied an exemption from the 2023 Indian Wells Masters in California.

Djokovic, 35, is currently the number one men’s tennis player in the world. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Djokovic has missed a number of events due to being unvaccinated. Because of this decision, he has not played in tournaments in the United States for several years.

Other countries allowed Djokovic to compete. In January, he won the 2023 Australian Open. This victory returned Djokovic to the top spot in the men’s rankings.