Men’s tennis star Novak Djokovic said he will not compete at two hardcourt tournaments in the U.S. because he is unvaccinated and cannot travel to the country.
Djokovic, who was deported from Australia on the eve of the Australian Grand Slam event in January, said he will be forced to miss the tournaments in Indian Wells, California, and Miami because he is unvaccinated and can’t travel to the U.S., according to The Associated Press.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion tweeted on Wednesday that the Centers for Disease Control “confirmed the regulations won’t be changing so I won’t be able to play in the U.S.”
The world’s No. 2 player has competed in just one tournament in 2022, reaching the quarterfinals in Dubai. He initially received a medical exemption to play in the Australian Open, but then had his visa revoked by government officials, ESPN reported. That prevented him from defending his title. Rafael Nadal, who was tied with Djokovic for the most men’s Grand Slam titles, won the event to pull ahead by one major tournament championship.
Djokovic was recently supplanted from the world’s No. 1 ranking by Daniil Medvedev. He told the BBC in Feburary that he would be willing to skip majors in the future if a vaccine was required.
“Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay,” Djokovic told the news organization.
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Here are some memorable photos of tennis star Novak Djokovic through the years.
2004: Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Montenegro in action against Dannis Van Scheppinggen of the Netherlands during the first round of the ATP Thailand Open at the Inpact Arena on September 28, 2004, in Bangkok, Thailand.
2005: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates beating Gael Monfils of France during the first round of the US Open at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on August 30, 2005, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Djokovic won 7-5, 4-6, 7-6, 0-6, 7-5.
2006: Andy Murray of Great Britain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Montenegro celebrate a point in their doubles match against Fabrice Santoro of France and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia and Montenegro during Day 4 of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park January 19, 2006, in Melbourne, Australia.
2007: Tennis pro Novak Djokovic poses for a portrait shoot on April 15, 2007, in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
2008: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with his trophy following his victory at the Men’s Singles at the Australian Open 2008 on January 28, 2008, in Melbourne, Australia.
2009: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with the trophy after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland in the final during Day 7 of the Davidoff Swiss Indoors Tennis at St. Jakobshalle on November 8, 2009, in Basel, Switzerland.
2010: Rafael Nadal of Spain (right) poses with the championship trophy alongside runner up Novak Djokovic of Serbia (left) after their men’s singles final on Day 15 of the 2010 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2010, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
2011: Novak Djokovic of Serbia kisses the trophy as he celebrates defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain during the Men’s Final on Day 15 of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 12, 2011, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
2012: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup and the clock after winning championship point and playing in the longest grand slam final ever in his men’s final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during Day 14 of the 2012 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2012, in Melbourne, Australia.
2013: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning against Richard Gasquet of France during their men’s semifinal match of the 2013 China Open at the National Tennis Center on October 5, 2013, in Beijing, China.
2014: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning a game against Milos Raonic of Canada during Day 7 of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia tennis 2014 on May 17, 2014, in Rome, Italy.
2015: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with the winner’s trophy after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland during their Men’s Singles Final match on Day 14 of the 2015 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2015, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Djokovic defeated Federer 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
2016: Serena Williams of the USA and Novak Djokovic of Serbia pose with the trophies during the 2016 Australian Open official draw at Melbourne Park on January 15, 2016, in Melbourne, Australia.
2017: Novak Djokovic of Serbia stretches to hit a forehand during the men’s singles third round match against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina on Day 6 of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2017, in Paris, France.
2018: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates a point duirng his men’s singles third-round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain during Day 6 of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on June 1, 2018, in Paris, France.
2019: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup following victory in his Men’s Singles Final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during Day 14 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2019, in Melbourne, Australia.
2020: Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand during his Men’s Singles third-round match against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan on Day 5 of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2020, in Melbourne, Australia.
2021: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning match point in his Men’s Singles third-round match against Taylor Fritz of the United States during Day 5 of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 12, 2021, in Melbourne, Australia.
