Novak Djokovic, brand new number 1 in the ATP ranking and recent champion of his tenth Australian Open, with which he tied 22 Grand Slams with Rafa Nadal, is still on edge, waiting to find out if he will be able to enter the United States. The Serb is not vaccinated against covid, a condition that in principle prevents him from crossing the US border.
The 35-year-old veteran tennis player from Belgrade has requested a special permit from the authorities of the North American country to be able to play the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells and Miami that will be held in March. "I'm waiting for an answer, it's not up to me... I'll know soon," the Balkan said at a press conference in Belgrade this Wednesday, who will return to competition next week in the Dubai tournament.
"Everything is in the works. I am grateful to the organizers of Indians Wells and Miami for their support. They would like me to be able to play in their tournaments... I hope for a positive decision soon," remarked Djokovic, a five-time Indian Wells winner and six of the Miami Masters. The Serb already missed both tournaments last year for the same reason.
The US vaccination requirement for foreign air travelers is not expected to be lifted before the start of both tournaments. US President Joe Biden's administration said last month that it would lift Covid emergency declarations on May 11.
For his part, Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas said last month that it would be a "disgrace" if Djokovic was not allowed to compete in the US in 2023 after the Serb also missed the US Open last year.
"That's all I can do because my position remains the same... The US Open is still far away, so I hope I can be there," added a Djokovic who would be delighted to play the American Grand Slam again, which will be will play from next August 28. "I want to go back and connect with the people and hopefully play my best tennis and get another trophy there," he concluded.
On the sporting front, Djokovic was full of praise for Rafa Nadal, now injured. "The rivalry with Nadal is something difficult to eliminate in just a year and a half," he explained, referring to the emergence of a new high-level opponent like Carlos Alcaraz, a breath of "fresh air" for professional tennis.
