Novak Djokovic’s controversy over covid vaccines has not come to an end. The number one in the world has a problem with the United States, whose deadline to enter the country without getting vaccinated does not expire until April 10. This implies that the Serbian could not play the 1,000 Masters in Indian Wells and Miami, not only two of the most prestigious tournaments in the world, but also with 2,000 points at stake.
The Serb’s plan is to play next week in Dubai and then wait for the United States to make a decision on whether or not to allow him to enter the country given his unvaccinated status. “My plans after Dubai depend on the United States. I’m waiting an answer. It’s not up to me,” Djokovic said at a press conference held in Belgrade, his hometown. «Everything is in progress. The people of Indian Wells and Miami want me to play their tournaments and now I can only wait for a positive decision, but it is not in my hands,” added the Australian Open champion.
Djokovic already missed the two American tournaments last year, so he will not defend any points, but the tennis player does not want to miss the opportunity to increase his advantage over Carlos Alcaraz, who lurks in second position in the ranking.
The Murcian is currently 500 points behind Djokovic and, with a win in Rio de Janeiro (a tournament he is playing this week), Alcaraz could match the Serbian at the top of the table, who has not played since winning his tenth Open of Australia and twenty-second Grand Slam. Djokovic, despite Alcaraz’s approach, would surpass him the following week with a good result in Dubai.
Of course, the situation for the number one would get much more complicated if Alcaraz can play in the ‘Sunshine Double’, that is, Indian Wells (from March 8 to 19) and Miami (from March 22 to April 2 ). The Murcian will defend 1,360 points, for the semifinals that he achieved in Indian Wells and the Miami title and given his current level, it cannot be ruled out that he repeats or improves his results.
In any case, Djokovic would have no problem playing the US Open next September. The Serb was unable to participate last year due to the ban on entry to unvaccinated people.