Novak Djokovic out of Miami Open after denied COVID-19 vaccine exemption

Novak Djokovic has officially been denied a vaccine exemption for the Miami Open despite pressure from some high-ranking political officials in Florida.

Tournament director James Blake confirmed the result in an interview with Tennis Channel on Friday and expressed his disappointment at the decision that would prevent Djokovic from claiming his seventh Miami Open title.

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“Obviously, we are one of the premier tournaments in the world,” Blake According to Reuters, told Tennis Channel, “We want the best players who can play. We did all we could. We tried to talk to the government, but it is out of our hands.

Djokovic’s refusal stems from United States protocols that prevent unvaccinated travelers from entering the country, Reuters reported, and his representative declined to comment any further about the absence.

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The 35-year-old has been surrounded by vaccine controversy over the past 15 months, and the Miami Open will not mark the first time Djokovic – currently No. 1 in the men’s ATP rankings – has missed a tournament because of his vaccination status. ,

Djokovic pulled out of the BNP Paribas Open, which begins March 8 and runs through Sunday in Indian Wells, CA, and also did not participate in the 2022 Australian Open and US Open.

But in the weeks before this year’s Miami Open, where men’s singles begins March 22, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis publicly called President Joe Biden on “Lift your sanctions and let them compete.”

“The only thing stopping Novak Djokovic from participating in the Miami Open tennis tournament is President Biden’s misguided and unscientific COVID-19 vaccination requirement for foreigners. [sic] Passengers,” DeSantis tweeted on March 7, attaching images of his two-page letter.

According to Reuters, Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) also expressed support for Djokovic to receive a vaccine exemption.

Djokovic, a native of Serbia, regained his No. 1 ranking after winning the Australian Open title in January and later revealed he played through a three-centimeter injury to his left hamstring.

In his most recent tournament, Djokovic lost in the semifinals of the Dubai Championships to Daniil Medvedev, suffering his first loss of 2023 after 15 consecutive wins.