The entry drama surrounding Novak Djokovic before the Australian Open went around the world. And the problem could repeat itself. Because even at a prestigious Masters tournament, all players have to be vaccinated.
Novak Djokovic could soon be facing trouble again. The organisers of the Masters tournament in Indian Wells have announced that only fully vaccinated tennis players will be allowed to take part in the event, which takes place in March.
Indian Wells first Masters in calendar year
“Health and safety is the top priority,” it said. Djokovic is currently still on the entry list for the event, which runs from 7 to 20 March in the US state of California. A Masters tournament, of which there are a total of nine per year on the ATP Tour, is one of the most important events in tennis after a Grand Slam tournament. The Masters tournament in Indian Wells is the first of the calendar year.
World number one Djokovic, who was not vaccinated against Covid-19 in January, had tried to enter the Australian Open via an exemption. He had claimed he was recovering from an infection, citing a positive test on 16 December and a negative certificate six days later. There were doubts about this.
In the end, his visa was cancelled. The tennis star finally had to leave Melbourne shortly before the start of the tournament. It is not known whether Djokovic has been vaccinated against Covid-19 in the meantime.
