Novak Djokovic, a 21-time Grand Slam champion, is unable to play in U.S. tennis tournaments due to a renewal in the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) vaccination policies.
Novak Djokovic, who was once ranked number one worldwide, will most likely not play in the U.S. based Indian Wells and Miami Open tournaments. Those tournaments are set to take place in March and April.
On Wednesday, the TSA released a statement reaffirming their intentions to continue to bar unvaccinated foreigners from traveling into the United States, ignoring “country-by-country restrictions previously applied during the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”
The TSA statement extended the previous rule announced in October 2021.
“Together with the Presidential Proclamation and the CDC Order, these policies are intended to limit the risk that COVID-19, including variants of the virus that causes COVID-19, is introduced, transmitted, and spread into and throughout the United States, potentially overwhelming United States healthcare and public health resources, endangering the health and safety of the American people, and threatening the security of our civil aviation system,” the TSA statement reads, in part.
When asked about the TSA rule Thursday, Djokovic responded, “it is what is.”
“If it is official, then what can I do? Nothing. That’s it. You know my position [on the COVID vaccine], so it is what it is,” Djokovic explained.
“I’m hoping [to travel to the U.S.], but if I can’t go, I can’t go,” the tennis star added.
National File has previously reported on how Djokovic’s refusal to get vaccinated has hampered his career.
READ MORE: Video: Unvaccinated Wimbledon Champ Novak Djokovic Receives Hero’s Welcome in Serbia
Stay tuned to National File for any updates.