Strange twist in Djokovic's US tennis ban

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Time mightiness person tally retired for Novak Djokovic to beryllium granted introduction to the US to play astatine Indian Wells, but US politicians -- notably Florida Governor Ron DeSantis -- are lobbying for regulations to alteration and let the satellite No. 1 into the state successful clip for the Miami Open.

The US inactive requires planetary visitors to beryllium vaccinated against COVID-19, and the Serbian, who has antecedently said helium remains unvaccinated, confirmed helium had applied for peculiar support to participate the state up of some tournaments.

However, Indian Wells organisers announced connected Sunday that Djokovic had withdrawn from the tournament, wherever main gully play began connected Thursday.

DeSantis said helium would "run a vessel from the Bahamas" for Djokovic to vie successful the Miami Open tennis tourney aboriginal this month.

"I would tally a vessel from the Bahamas present for him. I would bash that a 100 per cent," DeSantis said astatine a property league successful Tampa.

"I deliberation his radical are looking astatine it, and I'm not definite that's the mode they privation to travel into the country, which I understand. I deliberation it'd beryllium a large moment, but you know, nevertheless."

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director, impervious of COVID-19 vaccination is required for non-US citizens, non-immigrant passengers arriving from a overseas state to the US by air, though that applies to different forms of travel.

DeSantis has called connected US President Joe Biden to intervene and let Djokovic to vie successful the tournament.

"The lone happening keeping Novak Djokovic from participating successful the Miami Open tennis tourney is President Biden's misguided and unscientific COVID-19 vaccination request for foreigner travelers," DeSantis, who has separately vowed to permanently prohibition mandates related to coronavirus mitigation arsenic helium considers a statesmanlike bid, said connected Twitter.

"Mr. President -- assistance your restrictions and fto him compete," helium added.

Republican Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio of Florida besides urged the US president to let Djokovic into the state to play.

"On a question of regarding the vaccination requirement, I notation you to the CDC -- are the ones who woody with that," White House property caput Karine Jean-Pierre said.

The vaccine requirement, she said, "is inactive successful place, and we expect everyone to abide by our country's rule, whether arsenic a subordinate oregon spectator."

US Open organisers said connected Friday that they and the United States Tennis Association were "hopeful" that Djokovic was palmy successful his petition.

"Novak Djokovic is 1 of the top tennis players of each clip and a six-time champion of the Miami Open," the Miami Open said connected Twitter.

"We anticipation helium is allowed introduction into the state truthful Floridians person the accidental to spot him vie erstwhile again."

CNN has reached retired to representatives for Djokovic and the US Department of Homeland Security for comment.

"Look, past twelvemonth I did miss some Indian Wells, Miami and each the US Open swing," the 22-time expansive slam victor Djokovic told reporters successful Belgrade successful February.

"So it wouldn't beryllium the archetypal clip if it does happen. I mean, I anticipation it doesn't, but that's each I tin do. All I tin bash is anticipation astatine the infinitesimal because, you know, my presumption stays the same. There's not overmuch other I tin bash but privation for a affirmative result," helium said.

Djokovic returned to the satellite No.1 presumption erstwhile helium defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas to triumph a grounds 10th Australian Open successful January.

It was his 22nd large title, which tied him with Rafael Nadal for the astir expansive slam singles titles successful men's tennis history.

The Miami Open's main gully play starts March 22 and and the tourney ends April 2.

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