US Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman has called out “America’s outdated vaccine policy” that prevented Novak Djokovic from competing at the Indian Wells Masters. Djokovic, who hasn’t been vaccinated against COVID-19, is missing Indian Wells because he wasn’t allowed to enter the United States as an unvaccinated foreigner.
“America’s outdated vaccine policy for international visitors is an unforced error that is contributing to an $80 billion loss in foreign traveler spending. Novak Djokovic is merely one of millions deterred from visiting the United States due to a well-intended but antiquated policy.
It is well past time for the United States to join with its peers in Europe, Australia and elsewhere and remove pandemic vaccine requirements for our inbound travelers,” Freeman said in his statement.
Djokovic out of Indian Wells, now all the eyes are on Miami
Djokovic still hasn’t withdrawn from the Miami Masters, which means he is still holding hope that he will be allowed to play there.
But if that doesn’t happen, Djokovic will just turn his focus on the clay season and Monte Carlo Masters. Following a Dubai semifinal loss against Daniil Medvedev, Djokovic was asked what if he was denied entry into the United States.
“I don’t know what ‘the rest’ is. I’m still waiting for the news from America. If there’s no America, I guess I’ll play clay. Monte-Carlo is probably the next tournament. If that’s the case, I’ll take some time off, I’ll prepare.
Clay, as we’ve said, is the most demanding surface. It takes time more than any other surface to prepare for. Look, the year is long. I started off the year in a best possible way, winning many matches in a row, winning Australian Open.
That’s the one that I looked for the most. That was the priority in this part of the year. Of course, any other tournament win is a bonus. I will always give everything I possibly can to play my best tennis in every tournament. Yeah, look forward to the next challenge,” Djokovic said in Dubai.
