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Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has been forced to pull out of the Miami Open 2023 after failing to get vaccinated for COVID-19. The former World No. 1 also missed the recently concluded Indian Wells, which Carlos Alcarez won to regain number 1 ranking in the ATP singles.
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It is to be noted that US has laid a ban on unvaccinated foreigners from entering the country. However, the ban is likely to be lifted when the government ends its COVID emergency declarations in May 2023. If the ban is lifted in May 2023, the Serb might be able to feature in the US Open, which is scheduled to be held from August 28 till September 10.
Talking about his decision to pull out of the Miami Open, Novak told CNN, “I have no regrets”. “I’ve learned through life that regrets only hold you back and basically make you live in the past. I don’t want to do that. I also don’t want to live too much in the future. I want to be as much as in the present moment but of course think about future,” he added.
The six-time Miami champion has featured in the tournament since his fourth-round exit in 2019. Djokovic last featured in Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship in March 2023. However, he made an exit after two-straight set loss against Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals.
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