Novak Djokovic seeking special permission to enter US despite COVID vaccine mandates, his brother says

Novak Djokovic of Serbia has applied for a Special Permit to enter the US to play in the Indian Wells and Miami Open tournaments. revealed by his brother Georgedespite the existing requirement for foreign air passengers entering the country to be vaccinated against COVID. The existing vaccination mandate is not expected to be lifted until the start of both tournaments in March, Reuters reported.

Djokovic, 35, has become arguably the world’s most prominent non-COVID athlete, sticking to his decision despite deported from australia ahead of the 2022 Australian Open due to his vaccination status. Djokovic made a triumphant return to the Australian Open this year after the country’s stringent vaccine requirements were lifted. victory in the tournament for his 22nd Grand Slam title.

“Novak needs to get special permission as the US still bans unvaccinated people from entering, which is unbelievable since the whole world is open and both vaccinated and unvaccinated athletes participate in sporting events,” Djordje Djokovic told the Serbian news agency Tanjug. . “Novak submitted all the necessary paperwork and request, and the Indian Wells and Miami tournament directors have publicly stated that Novak is needed at these tournaments and that they want him to come. There are only a few days left before the decision is made. done, and we can only hope for a positive outcome.

It is currently expected that existing vaccination requirements for foreign air passengers in the US will be lifted in mid-April. But in the case of Djokovic, there was hope that a solution could be worked out, a view that was expressed all the way to Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas.

“It would be nice to see if we can pick them up a little earlier and he’ll come to play in Indian Wells and Miami.” Haas recently told reporters. “I think he wants to play so we have to give him a chance. Hope we have it.

“I mean, it would be a shame in my eyes if he didn’t come to these events or if he wasn’t allowed to come.”