BELGRADE, Serbia — Novak Djokovic has requested American authorities for particular permission to enter america to play tennis tournaments in California and Florida regardless of being unvaccinated in opposition to the coronavirus, the top-ranked Serb stated Wednesday.

The Transportation Safety Administration has stated the requirement for overseas air vacationers to be absolutely vaccinated in opposition to the illness can be in place no less than till mid-April. The match in Indian Wells will probably be performed from March 6-19 and the Miami Open is scheduled from March 20-April 2.

“Every part is at the moment within the course of,” Djokovic stated at his coaching floor in Belgrade. “I’ve an enormous need to be there.

“I’m actually grateful to the Indian Wells and Miami match (officers) and group for his or her help publicly and they want me to have the ability to play of their tournaments.”

Djokovic is without doubt one of the most high-profile athletes who’s unvaccinated in opposition to COVID-19.

Final yr, the 35-year-old Djokovic was deported from Australia forward of the Australian Open due to his vaccination standing. Djokovic returned to the match in January after Australia lifted its strict vaccine mandate to win his twenty second Grand Slam title, tying the file with Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic stated Wednesday that Nadal stays his largest on-court rival regardless of the rise of 19-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who had been on the prime of the rankings earlier than a leg damage prevented him from enjoying on the Australian Open.

“(Alcaraz) is arguably the subsequent largest factor in our sport, or he’s already there.” Djokovic stated. “I simply really feel that the rivalry with Nadal is one thing that’s tough to get rid of.

“Nadal has been the most important rival and he most likely will stay the most important rival I ever had in my in my profession.”

Djokovic reached one other milestone in his tennis profession this week by tying German nice Steffi Gaff with 377 weeks on the prime of the world rankings.

“Clearly, Steffi Graf is without doubt one of the largest legends of our sport, each women and men tennis, and somebody that I really admire and respect,” Djokovic stated. “So, after all, it’s very flattering that I’m able to equal her file and clearly have a chance to interrupt it as properly the subsequent week.”

Djokovic stated his subsequent match will probably be subsequent week’s Dubai Open.

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