(Tennis news) Novak Djokovic was forced to miss out on two ATP 1000 events, namely the Indian Wells and the Miami Open due to his COVID-19 vaccination status. The United States government does not permit travellers without the COVID-19 vaccination to enter the country which has made Djokovic ineligible to compete in these events. The policy is expected to be lifted in May and the Serbian is expected to compete at the US Open later this year.

“I have no regrets. I’ve learned through life that regrets only hold you back and basically make you live in the past. I don’t want to do that. I also don’t want to live too much in the future. I want to be as much as in the present moment but of course think about the future, create a better future. At the same time, it’s the conscious decision I made and I knew that there is always a possibility that I won’t go. It’s the current state or current situation that I hope will change for later this year, for the US Open. That’s the most important tournament for me on American soil.”

Due to his ineligibility to play at the two ATP 1000 events, Carlos Alcaraz has taken over the World Number 1 position after defeating Daniil Medvedev in the Indian Wells final. Speaking about Alcaraz, Djokovic said “I congratulate Alcaraz. He absolutely deserves to come back to No 1. I’m as enthusiastic as ever, as motivated as ever for the sport, my family, my foundation, all the projects and everything I’m doing off the court. The dignity, and integrity, and staying true to myself, and my beliefs and my rights are above everything.”

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