{"id":276669,"date":"2023-03-09T18:58:42","date_gmt":"2023-03-09T19:58:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=276669"},"modified":"2023-03-09T21:59:22","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T21:59:22","slug":"strange-twist-in-djokovics-us-tennis-ban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=276669","title":{"rendered":"Strange twist in Djokovic's US tennis ban"},"content":{"rendered":"

Time might have run out for Novak Djokovic<\/a> to be granted entry to the US to play at Indian Wells<\/a>, but US politicians — notably Florida Governor Ron DeSantis — are lobbying for regulations to change and allow the world No. 1 into the country in time for the Miami Open<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The US still requires international visitors to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and the Serbian, who has previously said he remains unvaccinated, confirmed he had applied for special permission to enter the country ahead of both tournaments.<\/p>\n

However, Indian Wells organisers announced on Sunday that Djokovic had withdrawn from the tournament, where main draw play began on Thursday.<\/p>\n

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DeSantis said he would "run a boat from the Bahamas" for Djokovic to compete in the Miami Open tennis tournament later this month.<\/p>\n

"I would run a boat from the Bahamas here for him. I would do that a hundred per cent," DeSantis said at a press conference in Tampa.<\/p>\n

"I think his people are looking at it, and I'm not sure that's the way they want to come into the country, which I understand. I think it'd be a great moment, but you know, nevertheless."<\/p>\n

\"Novak<\/p>\n

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for non-US citizens, non-immigrant passengers arriving from a foreign country to the US by air, though that applies to other forms of travel.<\/p>\n

DeSantis has called on US President Joe Biden to intervene and allow Djokovic to compete in the tournament.<\/p>\n

"The only thing keeping Novak Djokovic from participating in the Miami Open tennis tournament is President Biden's misguided and unscientific COVID-19 vaccination requirement for foreigner travelers," DeSantis, who has separately vowed to permanently ban mandates related to coronavirus mitigation as he considers a presidential bid, said on Twitter.<\/p>\n

"Mr. President — lift your restrictions and let him compete," he added.<\/p>\n

\"Novak<\/p>\n

Republican Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio of Florida also urged the US president to allow Djokovic into the country to play.<\/p>\n

"On a question of regarding the vaccination requirement, I refer you to the CDC — are the ones who deal with that," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.<\/p>\n

The vaccine requirement, she said, "is still in place, and we expect everyone to abide by our country's rule, whether as a participant or spectator."<\/p>\n

US Open organisers said on Friday that they and the United States Tennis Association were "hopeful" that Djokovic was successful in his petition.<\/p>\n

"Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest tennis players of all time and a six-time champion of the Miami Open," the Miami Open said on Twitter.<\/p>\n

"We hope he is allowed entry into the country so Floridians have the opportunity to see him compete once again."<\/p>\n

CNN has reached out to representatives for Djokovic and the US Department of Homeland Security for comment.<\/p>\n

"Look, last year I did miss both Indian Wells, Miami and all the US Open swing," the 22-time grand slam winner Djokovic told reporters in Belgrade in February.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

"So it wouldn't be the first time if it does happen. I mean, I hope it doesn't, but that's all I can do. All I can do is hope at the moment because, you know, my position stays the same. There's not much else I can do except wish for a positive result," he said.<\/p>\n

Djokovic returned to the world No.1 position when he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas to win a record 10th Australian Open in January.<\/p>\n

It was his 22nd major title, which tied him with Rafael Nadal for the most grand slam singles titles in men's tennis history.<\/p>\n

The Miami Open's main draw play starts March 22 and and the tournament ends April 2.<\/p>\n

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here<\/strong><\/em><\/a>!\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Time might have run out for Novak Djokovic to be granted entry to the US to play at Indian Wells, but US politicians — notably […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/276669"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=276669"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/276669\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":276671,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/276669\/revisions\/276671"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=276669"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=276669"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=276669"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}