(Melbourne) Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas said on Monday it would be “a shame” if Novak Djokovic couldn’t play tennis in the United States because of his refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Serbian player is expected to miss the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments in the spring, as US authorities have extended the requirement for international visitors to be vaccinated until April.
“It would be a shame in my eyes if he didn’t come to these tournaments or wasn’t allowed to come,” Haas told reporters.
The 35-year-old Serbian player was able to play again at the Australian Open, where he qualified for the quarter-finals on Monday, a year after being expelled from Australia due to his refusal to be vaccinated.
The 21-time Grand Slam champion missed the U.S. Open last year due to mandatory vaccinations imposed on foreign travelers.
“They are supposed to lift these rules in mid-April,” said Haas, himself a former world No.2, calling for an early end to them.
“It would be nice if we could waive those obligations a little early so he could come and play Indian Wells and Miami,” Haas continued. “I think he wants to play, so we should give him a chance. »
