Novak Djokovic could also be again taking part in in Australia – however he is set to overlook main US occasions this yr once more over his COVID-19 vaccination stance.
It follows United States authorities saying on Wednesday that non-nationals would want to have their photographs taken to enter the nation.
An announcement from the Transportation Safety Administration mentioned the requirement for international air vacationers to be absolutely vaccinated towards the illness can be in place till April 10.
Indian Wells runs from March 6-19 and the Miami Open from March 20-April 2, which means that Djokovic dangers lacking the ATP’s two main hardcourt tournaments if he continues to resolve to not be vaccinated.
The 35-year-old Serb was unable to defend his Australian Open crown final yr after being deported from that nation on the eve of the main because of his unvaccinated standing.
Djokovic, who has received 21 grand slam titles, was additionally unable to journey to New York for the 2022 US Open with out proof of vaccination, the identical cause that had pressured him to overlook tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami.
The nine-times Australian Open champion is at present warming up for the 2023 season in Adelaide for the January 16-29 Australian Open, after his three-year journey ban for the nation was waived in November.
That call has opened a path for him to focus on a 10th title at Melbourne Park and probably tie Rafael Nadal’s mark of 22 majors.
Djokovic, who beforehand said he would miss grand slams reasonably than have the COVID vaccine, mentioned final week that he would always remember the way it felt to be deported from Australia however hoped to maneuver on from the incident.
“What occurred 12 months in the past wasn’t simple to digest for a while however on the similar time, I needed to transfer on,” Djokovic mentioned final week in his first information convention since touchdown in Australia.
