The United States Tennis Association supports Novak Djokovic’s participation in Indian Wells and Miami

London, March 4 (dpa / EP) –

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the US Open have supported that Serbian Novak Djokovic, who cannot enter the United States because he has not been vaccinated against COVID-19, can participate this month in Indian Wells and Miami.

Given that the current restrictions expire in April, the Serb, winner of 22 Grand Slam titles, wants a waiver to enter the country and play the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, which starts next week, and the Miami tournament.

“Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest champions our sport has ever known,” the US Open said on its official Twitter account. He added, “Both the USTA and US Open hope that Novak will be successful in his petition to enter the country, and that fans will be able to see him again in Indian Wells and Miami.”

Djokovic’s failure to vaccinate made him miss the Australian Open – with consequent expulsion from the country – and last year’s US Open. With a COVID-19 vaccine no longer required to enter Australia, Djokovic successfully defied a three-year visa ban and was able to compete at the Australian Open in January, defeating Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.

Last week, the 35-year-old tennis player announced in a press conference that he was “waiting for an answer” regarding his participation in Indian Wells and Miami. “I’m waiting for an answer, it’s not up to me. I’ll know soon. It’s all in progress. I’m grateful to the Indian Wells Championship, Miami and the communities for their general support,” he said.

“They want me to be able to play in their tournaments. I am very grateful for that because I have a great desire to be there, I haven’t played there for two years. I hope a positive decision will come soon, but it is out of my hands.”