The next Masters 1000 tournament is set to be without Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic after organizers indicated that it is unlikely they will change their entry criteria.
Djokovic faces an uncertain few weeks ahead due to him not being vaccinated against COVID-19. At present both Canada and America do not let unvaccinated individuals into their country unless they qualify for a special exemption. At present, it is believed that the tennis star does not qualify for any of these exemptions.
Following his win over Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final, Djokovic reiterated that he does not intend to get vaccinated. Earlier this year he was involved in a high-profile legal battle with Australian authorities over his visa which resulted in his deportation from the country. The former world No.1 argued that he had been allowed into the country due to a special exemption issued to him but border officials deemed that to be an invalid excuse. He then had to stay in an immigration facility until he won a legal case which ruled in his favour regarding how the process was conducted. However, the High Court backed the government’s decision to deport him.
“I’m not vaccinated and I’m not planning to get vaccinated so the only good news I can have is them removing the mandated green vaccine card or whatever you call it to enter United States or exemption,” Djokovic told reporters at Wimbledon. “I don’t know. I don’t think exemption is realistically possible. If that is a possibility, I don’t know what exemption would be about.”
It isn’t just America where the problem lies. Djokovic is also likely to be prevented from entering Canada which will stage the next Masters 1000 event during the second week of August. Recently tournament director Eugene Lapierre indicated that the chances of the Serbian playing are slim unless there is a sudden change in the rules which he believes is ‘unrealistic.’
“Either the Canadian government is going to change the rules regarding vaccination or he is going to roll up his sleeves and get the vaccine. But I don’t think any of those scenarios are realistic.” Lapierre is quoted by The Daily Express as saying.
Furthermore, Canadian Health Minister Jean Yves Duclos indicated that his government is unlikely to change its policy or bend the rules for the 35-year-old to take part.
“The rules apply to everyone. There are some exceptions, but… the rules apply to everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet,” he said.
Djokovic is a four-time champion at the Canadian Masters with his most recent victory occurring in 2016. He also won the title in 2007, 2011 and 2012. In the Open Era, the only male players to have won the title more times than him are Ivan Lendl and Rafael Nadal who have five trophies each.
