Novak Djokovic willpower No play in the miami open after not receive a waiver to enter USA Not having been vaccinated for Covid-19.
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tournament director james blake told The Tennis Channel on Saturday that the world number one, six-time champion from Miami, was denied entry despite the best effort of tournament officials.
“We did everything we could. We tried to talk to the government, but it’s out of our hands,” Blake said before the start of the tournament next week.
“We tried and he couldn’t play, the same result he had in Indian Wells.”
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Djokovic was not allowed a place in the ongoing Masters 1000 event in the California desert.
“We would love to have him and he is our biggest champion, six times here, so obviously we would love to have him here, but unfortunately that is way above my salary,” Blake said.
Novak Djokovic won his 22nd Grand Slam in Australia
Djokovic has missed other events due to not being vaccinated against covid, but he was allowed to compete at this year’s Australian Open and won his 10th crown in Melbourne for his 22nd career Grand Slam title, tied with Rafael Nadal of Spain for the men’s all-time record.
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“We exhausted all the options that we know we can handle,” Blake said.
“Hopefully Novak returns next year.”
The US authorities are expected to ease the vaccination requirements to enter in May, which would allow Djokovic to play at the US Open.
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“Hopefully I’ll be back probably at all subsequent events in the United States, Cincinnati and the US Open,” Blake said.
Djokovic hasn’t played in Miami since his fourth-round exit in 2019.
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By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse