A statement from the Transportation Security Administration yesterday said the requirement for foreign air travellers to be fully vaccinated against the disease would be in place until April 10.
Indian Wells runs from March 6-19 and the Miami Open from March 20-April 2 and Djokovic risks missing the two important hardcourt tournaments if he does not take the vaccine.
The 35-year-old Serb was unable to defend his Australian Open crown last year after being deported from that country on the eve of the hardcourt major due to his unvaccinated status.
Djokovic, who has won 21 Grand Slam titles, was also not able to travel to New York for the 2022 US Open without proof of vaccination, the same reason that had forced him to miss tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami. The nine-times Australian Open champion is currently warming up for the 2023 season in Adelaide for the Jan. 16-29 Australian Open, after his three-year travel ban for the country was waived in November.
That decision opened a path for him to target a 10th title at the Grand Slam and tie Rafa Nadal’s mark of 22 majors.
Djokovic, who previously stated he would miss Grand Slams rather than have the Covid-19 vaccine, said last week that he would never forget how it felt to be deported from Australia but hoped to move on from the incident. “What happened 12 months ago wasn’t easy to digest for some time but at the same time, I had to move on,” Djokovic said last week in his first news conference since landing in Australia.
“I have to say, I’m glad to be back in Australia, thank you all for coming out,” Djokovic said after his win over ConstantLestienne on Tuesday.
‘Thank you for giving me the welcome’
“Thank you for giving me the welcome I could only wish for.“... If I have to pick one country where I’ve had the most success, which treated me in the best way in terms of tennis, it’s here. I won my first Grand Slam here in 2008 and I have nine Australian Open titles - I’ve had some epic matches.
“Australia has been the place where I play my best tennis and I look forward to coming here. The circumstances last year were as they were and it wasn’t easy for anybody but I’m happy to be here, focus on tennis and enjoy my time with you guys.”
The Serb told reporters he did not have any expectations about Melbourne where the Australian Open will be played from Jan 16-29.
“Now my focus is here, on Adelaide, try to do well in this tournament,” djokovic told reporters after he outclassed Lestienne in his first singles match since returning.
“Obviously Melbourne, Grand Slam, it’s different ... so many players, both on the women and men’s side.
“I’ll be there also a week before my first match, as I normally do, training, getting used to the difference in the conditions and the speed of the court ... let’s see. I hope I’ll be received well.”
Djokovic is looking to capture a record-extending 10th Australian Open crown that would bring him level with Rafa Nadal on 22 Grand Slam titles.
