And it’s (no doubt) off again for a ride… Welcome back to Australia after a more than chaotic year 2022, Novak Djokovic will have to give up on the spring American tour and the two Masters 1000 (Indian Wells and Miami ) that go with it. The United States has indeed decided to extend until April 10 the obligation for foreign citizens to provide proof of vaccination to enter the territory, unless they meet very specific exemption criteria. Originally, the measure was to end on January 8.
However, the first two Masters 1000 of the season take place on American soil, respectively from March 8 to 19 and from March 22 to April 2. Suffice to say that the Serb, who has not visited California and Florida since 2019, will have to wait a little longer to put the rackets back there. Last season, the former world No. 1 had missed two Grand Slams (Australian Open and US Open) and four Masters 1000 out of eight (Shanghai having been canceled) and played only eleven tournaments (for five titles including Wimbledon and the Masters) because of his vaccination status.
In recent weeks, the Belgrader could however foresee an upturn with the relaxation of health rules in Australia and the lifting of the visa ban for three years which weighed on him after his expulsion last January. “I can say that it was different to arrive in Australia this year compared to previous years, and this because of the events of the last 12 months, he explained at the end of his 1st tour in Adelaide. But at the same time, 12 months is quite a long time. It’s already behind me, I turned the page. I was looking forward to coming too because I have always played very well and probably the best tennis of my career on Australian soil. »
The nine-time winner in Melbourne will have the opportunity from January 16 to join Rafael Nadal and his 22 Grand Slams. It’s great to be back here, he continued. Seeing a full stadium for my first game was a really pleasant surprise, and I had a lot of support and love. As I said, from the start, everyone has been very welcoming. People have been very nice and generous with my team and me. So so far it’s been a great experience. When he returns from Australia, Djokovic could play in Dubai at the end of February, before a one and a half month break until the Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo in mid-April.
