By Alberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, March 9, 2023
Permission for Novak Djokovic to play the Miami Open is the best outcome for tennis. But if the world No. 1 is banned from the Sunshine Double it may well be the best thing for Djokovic himself, says coach Goran Ivanisevic.
In a new interview with Sasa Ozmo for TennisMajors.com, Hall of Famer Ivanisevic said he's hopeful the United States will permit the unvaccinated Djokovic to enter the country to play the Miami Open, which starts on March 20th.
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Six-time Miami Open champion Djokovic withdrew from this week's BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Monday as his request for a special exemption to enter the country has not been approved.
Coach Goran says Djokovic would "love" to play Miami, emphasizing the important issue is to learn the 35-year-old Serbian's status for Miami as soon as possible so he can plan his spring schedule accordingly.
“We haven’t given up (on Miami). He wants to play and I would love it if they allow him – it would be great both for him and for tennis,” Ivanisevic told Tennis Majors in his first post-Australian Open interview. “If not, it’s not the end of the world, he didn’t play last year as well.
"The most important thing is that we find out soon, so that we can make a plan.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has sent a letter to President Biden asking for clarification of his COVID-19 proclamation.
The current COVID policy restricting entry for unvaccinated international travelers is scheduled to be lifted on May 11th. Governor DeSantis suggests under current guidelines, the 22-time Grand Slam champion should be able to enter Florida by boat and has asked the Biden administration for clarification by tomorrow.
If 10-time Australian Open champion Djokovic cannot enter the U.S. then his likely next tournament appearance would be in his home-away-from home event at next month's Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on red clay.
Ivanisevic said if Djokovic can't play Miami, it may well prove to be beneficial as he sets his sights on clay-court season and his shot to dethrone 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal to capture a men's record 23rd Grand Slam crown.
Missing the complete Sunshine Double would give Djokovic even more time to train on red clay and prepare for his run at history in Nadal's domain.
“In terms of preparing for the European clay-court season, I’m not sure playing in Miami is the best solution," Ivanisevic said. "It depends on Novak – in the past he has triumphed in Monte Carlo having played in Indian Wells and Miami.
"If he is mentally ready and in his fighter mode, like he was in Australia, then anything is possible.”
Photo credit: Goran Ivanisevic Instagram