New White House Policy Makes Novak Djokovic Can Feel Relieved

JAKARTA - The United States government has revoked the policy regarding mandatory COVID-19 vaccine for migrants from abroad. This is clearly a relief for Novak Djokovic.

With this new White House policy, Djokovic can play in this prestigious tennis tournament, the US Open, this year.

As is known, Djokovic has missed several times at the US Open for being one of the top athletes who refused to be vaccinated. The world number one last played at the US Open in 2021

At that time, his efforts to complete the four Grand Slam titles in a year were stopped due to defeat in the final match of Russian player Daniil Medvedev.

Since then Djokovic has been absent from tournaments in the US because of the vaccine obligation.

The 22-year Grand Slam title winner made a special exception to be able to enter the US so he can play at this year's Indian Wells and Miami Masters. But these attempts led to failure.

The US Open organizing committee and the US Tennis Association also asked Djokovic to get a special exemption last year. The result was the same, failed.

US tennis living legend John McEnroe is one of the figures who questioned the decision to ban Djokovic from entering the US, citing the fact that Djokovic is still playing at the US Open 2021 while the COVID-19 pandemic is still rampant.

"He played (at the US Open) in 2021 and was later not allowed to play in 2022. Someone tried to explain this to me," McEnroe said earlier this year.

"And now he's still not allowed to play? It's really weird," he added, as quoted from AFP via Antara.

Djokovic was also deported from Australia last year, and was absent from the Australian Open this year due to his vaccine status.

The White House on Monday (1/5/2023) confirmed that the obligation of vaccines for migrants from abroad entering the US would be lifted on May 11.

More than one million people have died in the US due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the White House stated that currently the COVID-19 pandemic situation was relatively under control.

"Since January 2021, deaths from COVID-19 have decreased by 95 percent and hospitalization rates have fallen by almost 91 percent. Globally, deaths from COVID-19 have been at their lowest level since the start of the pandemic," the White House said in a statement.