Novak Djokovic may finish the yr because the world’s top-ranked participant however it could be a “disgrace” if his likelihood is affected by not having the ability to compete within the United States on account of his unvaccinated standing, Indian Wells event director Tommy Haas mentioned.
Djokovic missed final yr’s Australian Open and was deported from the nation on account of being unvaccinated in opposition to COVID. His three-year visa ban was overturned in November and he’s again on the Grand Slam seeking to win a tenth crown and twenty second main.
The Serbian was, nonetheless, not in a position to journey to New York for the 2022 U.S. Open with out proof of vaccination, the identical motive that pressured him to skip ATP 1000 occasions at Indian Wells and Miami earlier within the yr.
U.S. authorities mentioned this month the requirement for international air travellers to be vaccinated in opposition to COVID could be in place till no less than April 10, which means Djokovic will miss out on Indian Wells and Miami once more.
Haas, additionally a former world quantity two participant, mentioned he hoped the foundations could be relaxed sooner to permit Djokovic to compete.
“If Djokovic stays healthy, I don’t see how he’s not going to be number one,” Haas informed reporters at Melbourne Park on Monday.
“Obviously the one problem being that he still cannot come to the U.S. If he doesn’t play Indian Wells and Miami in March (it will be tough), they’re supposed to lift those mandates by mid-April.
“It would be nice to see if we could maybe lift those a little earlier and have him come to play Indian Wells and Miami. I think he wants to play, so we should give him the chance. Hopefully we can have him there.
“I mean, it would be a disgrace in my eyes if he wasn’t coming to these events, or not allowed to come.”
Haas added Indian Wells organisers would do “everything” to assist Djokovic’s possibilities of enjoying there.
Indian Wells runs from March 8-19 and the Miami Open from March 22-April 2. The 35-year-old has beforehand acknowledged he would miss Grand Slams quite than have a COVID vaccine.