By Victor Kanayo
Tennis star Novak Djokovic is most likely going to miss out again in this year’s Indian Wells and the Miami Open, weeks after authorities revoked his travel ban to allow him compete during 2023 Australian Open.
Indications to that effect emerged after United States travel authorities extended the requirement for non-US nationals to be vaccinated until April 2023.
US is yet to relax its Covid rules unlike most countries in parts of the world.
Since inception of COVID-19 in 2019 and eventually recommendation various health bodies that everyone especially those who travel from place to place should get vaccinated, Djokovic has refused to heed such medical procedure.
Aside failing to compete at Australian Open in 2022, he also missed another Grand Slam – US Open.
He was also forced to skip four Masters tournaments, three in the US and one in Canada.
The Sunshine Swing events at Indian Wells and the Miami Open, two of the most prestigious events on the tennis calendar, start on March 6 and March 20 respectively.
Djokovic will return to the Australian Open this season following a nightmare ordeal in 2022 which culminated in him being deported on the eve of the tournament.
The Djokovic saga grabbed headlines across the world in January 2022 after the Serb touched down for the opening Grand Slam of the year unvaccinated but with a medical exemption.
His initial visa was cancelled, re-approved by a judge, then revoked again by Australian immigration minister Alex Hawke.
His great rival Rafael Nadal later won the title in Melbourne to move clear in the Grand Slam race.
Nadal then claimed the French Open before Djokovic won Wimbledon to leave the Spaniard 22-21 ahead in their enthralling major duel.
