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World No 1. Novak Djokovic's withdrawal from the Indian Wells Masters and his participation in the Miami Open being in limbo has drawn multiple reactions from various quarters.
The Serb, who is unvaccinated against COVID-19, has not been allowed entry into the United States. This is due to the existing vaccine mandate, which does not allow anyone to enter the country if they are unvaccinated against the coronavirus.
Djokovic's team filed an appeal seeking an exemption for him to be able to enter the US. However, the US Department of Homeland Security did not approve the request, forcing Djokovic to withdraw from the Indian Wells Masters.
He is expected to face the same fate for the Miami Open too, as things haven't changed yet.
What is ironic, however, is that the United States government has declared that it will be lifting all emergency declarations related to coronavirus on May 11, 2023. This will allow unvaccinated people to enter the country.
Organizers of tennis tournaments join the chorus
It is only natural for tournament organizers to have the best in business as part of their event's glittering field. The US Open and Miami Open's official handles took to social media requesting the concerned authorities to give Novak Djokovic an exemption and allow him to play in the country.
The US Open said Djokovic is one of the greatest champions of the sport and hoped the authorities would consider his petition to play in the country.
"Novak Djokovic is one (of) the greatest champions our sport has ever seen. The USTA and US Open are hopeful that Novak is successful in his petition to enter the country, and that the fans will be able to see him back in action at Indian Wells and Miami (sic)," they tweeted.
For the record, the Serb will not have any issues in playing at the US Open since all the emergency restrictions are set to be lifted in May.
The official handle of the Miami Open hoped the authorities would budge, thereby giving the fans in Florida a chance to the see the 22-time Grand Slam champion in action.
"Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest tennis players of all time and a six-time champion of the Miami Open. We hope he is allowed entry into the country so Floridians have the opportunity to see him compete once again," they tweeted.
Politicians, health experts enter fray requesting exemption for Novak Djokovic
Ron DeSantis, the Republican Florida Governor, recently took a dig at president Joe Biden's administration for their immigration and COVID-19 vaccination policies.
In a letter addressed to Biden, DeSantis joked about whether Djokovic would be allowed to come to Florida by boat to compete in the Miami Open. This was because the current vaccine mandate is only for passengers traveling by air.
DeSantis took to social media and said the government's policy over vaccination status is "misguided and unscientific."
“The only thing keeping Novak Djokovic from participating in the Miami Open tennis tournament is President Biden’s misguided and unscientific COVID-19 vaccination requirement for foreigner [sic] travelers,” DeSantis tweeted, along with the photo of his letter.
In his letter, DeSantis said Djokovic has visited the United States twice without any health incident.
“I note that since the onset of COVID-19, Mr. Djokovic has visited the United States twice — including once during your presidency — without any apparent health incident,” DeSantis wrote.
“I would run a boat from the Bahamas here for him. I would do that a hundred percent,” DeSantis said at a press conference.
“I think his people are looking at it, and I’m not sure that’s the way they want to come into the country, which I understand. I think it’d be a great moment, but you know, nevertheless.”
Dr. Eli David, a researcher and lecturer, took to social media to mock the government's stance on Djokovic's entry into the US. He tweeted a photo of Djokovic and Bill Gates, terming the former as a public health risk and the latter a health expert.
Actor, comedian and political commentator Bill Maher opined that the mandate has to be lifted and said the "country is just stupid."
In a talk show, Maher said there is no imminent danger from Djokovic, especially when he has got the COVID-19 infection twice and has natural immunity to the disease.
"He likes to be playing at the Miami Open. He is unvaccinated, but he has had COVID-19 twice, so he has natural immunity," Maher said.
"That is something we always used to understand that, it is better than the vaccines. The mandate has got to be reversed. Also, there doesn't seem to be any imminent danger from a man who is playing tennis alone, in the middle of the stadium outside, and who has got infected twice.
"This country is just stupid."
Players weigh in on the Novak Djokovic-Sunshine Double issue
American tennis veteran John Isner lent his support to Novak Djokovic over the latter's status of not being able to play in the US.
Isner, a Wimbledon semifinalist, shared a social media post and cheekily took a dig at the US government and their way of dealing with COVID-19. He touched upon the government's mandate of not allowing unvaccinated people and wrote that the 10-time Australian Open winner will be "deemed safe" after May 11.
"Don’t worry guys, on May 11th he will be deemed safe enough to enter the USA. Until then, he’s far too dangerous. Do not question the science, our government has been spot on with all things Covid since the onset," Isner tweeted.
Reilly Opelka has also expressed his sheer dissent at Novak Djokovic reportedly being denied an exemption from the vaccine mandate in the United States.
"What a shame," Opelka wrote on Instagram.
Djokovic was last seen in action at this year's Dubai Tennis Championships. He lost to Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals, which ended his 20-match unbeaten streak.
Djokovic is also in danger of losing the World No. 1 spot if he fails to play in both Indian Wells and Miami. World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz will replace the Serb as the World No. 1 if he wins the Sunshine Double.
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