Novak Djokovic is set to miss even more tournaments due to his refusal to get vaccinated, even this long into the pandemic.
The United States won’t allow Djokovic into the country until at least April after the travel ban on unvaccinated foreigners was extended until April 10.
Having already missed August’s US Open last year, Djokovic will now miss the swing of events which includes Indian Wells – long considered the fifth major – and Miami.
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Joker makes light work of Frenchman | 00:50
Djokovic’s return to Australia went smoothly with a win at the Adelaide International over Constant Lestienne early this week. He’ll next face another Frenchman, Quentin Halys, on Thursday – 12 months after being deported before the Australian Open.
“I can say it was different coming into Australia this year than any other year, certainly, because of the events 12 months ago, but at the same time, 12 months is quite a long time as well,” Djokovic said on Tuesday.
“Already it’s behind me, I’ve moved on.
“I’m looking forward to coming because I always play very well and probably my best tennis throughout my career on Australian soil, so I came in early … I don’t actually recall when I came that early to Australia.
“I had plenty of time to adjust to the time zone, time difference, and just, I guess, adapt to whatever was waiting for me here. As I said from day one, people have been very kind and generous, with me and my team.”
YOUNG AUSSIE’S BID TO CONTINUE HOT RUN
Alexei Popyrin will be looking to back up the biggest win of his career and continue on in the Adelaide International on Wednesday.
Popyrin, who competed in the main draw via qualifying, stunned world No.6 Felix Auger-Aliassime in the opening round.
It marks the biggest win of the 23-year-old’s career to date and has set up a clash with unseeded American Marcus Giron on Wednesday night.
A deep run at the event, which offers 250 ranking points to the winner, would see Popyrin’s ranking surge from its current position of 120.
Popyrin is aiming to reach his third tour-level quarterfinal and his first since February 2021, when he won his first and only ATP title in Singapore.
In the United Cup, only six teams remain, with the City Finals beginning on Wednesday.
The three winning sides and the losing side with the best record overall will advance to Friday’s semi-finals in Sydney.
UNITED CUP: Day 7 Order of play (all times AEDT)
Sydney, Ken Rosewall Arena
USA vs Great Britain
Matches from 12:30pm
Madison Keys (USA) def. Katie Swan (GBR): 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
Taylor Fritz (USA) vs Cameron Norrie (GBR)
Not before 5:30pm
Jessica Pegula (USA) vs Harriet Dart (GBR)
Frances Tiafoe (USA) vs Daniel Evans (GBR)
Jessica Pegula and Francis Tiafoe (USA) vs Harriet Dart and Daniel Evans (GBR)
Perth, RAC Arena
Greece vs Croatia
Matches from 3:30pm
Despina Papamichail (GRE) vs Donna Vekic (Croatia)
Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs Borna Coric (CRO)
Not before 8:30pm
Maria Sakkari (GRE) vs Petra Martic (CRO)
Michail Pervolarakis (GRE) vs Borna Gojo (CRO)
Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs Donna Vekic and Borna Coric (CRO)
Brisbane, Pat Rafter Arena
Poland vs Italy
Matches from 1:30pm
Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) def. Daniel Michalski (POL): 6-1, 6-1
Iga Swiatek (POL) vs Martina Trevisan (ITA)
Not before 6:30pm
Hubert Hurkacz (POL) vs Matteo Berrettini (ITA)
Magda Linette (POL) vs Lucia Bronzetti (ITA)
Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz (POL) vs Camilla Rosatello and Lorenzo Musetti (ITA)
ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL: Order of play (all times AEDT)
Centre Court
Matches from 11:30am
Marketa Vondrousova def. Kaia Kanepi: 6-0, 6-4
Liudmila Smsonova vs Aryna Sabalenka (2)
Not before 3pm
Daniil Medvedev (3) vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Not before 7pm
Bianca Andreescu vs Veronika Kudermetova (4)
Not before 9pm
Marcus Giron vs Alexei Popyrin
Showcourt 1
Matches from 11:30am
Karen Khachanov (8) def. Jack Draper: 6-4, 6-2
Yoshihito Nishioka vs Mackenzie McDonald
Not before 4pm
Marta Kostyuk vs Elena Rybakina