Novak Djokovic has suggested that he has no plans to change his vaccine stance even if that means missing the Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami for a second consecutive year. This week, the United States authorities decided to extend their vaccine rules through early April, which state that unvaccinated foreigners cannot enter the country.
On Thursday in Adelaide, Djokovic was asked about the latest news coming from the US. “I saw it, but I don’t think it’s official yet. When it’s official, then we can speak about it. Look, if it is official, then it is.
I mean, what can I do? Nothing. That’s it. You know my position. It is what it is. I’m hoping (to be allowed in), but if I can’t go, I can’t go. That’s it,” Djokovic said, as quoted on Tennis Majors.
Djokovic survived a tricky French opponent
Djokovic, the top-seeded player in Adelaide, survived a tricky round-of-16 meeting as he edged out 64th-ranked Quentin Halys 7-6 (3) 7-6 (5). Halys came out firing, having claimed an early break and a 3-0 lead.
Leading 5-3, Halys had a chance to serve out for the first set but Djokovic broke back and managed to send the first set into a tie-break, which he dominated to win the opener. In the 10th game of the second set – when Halys was serving to stay in the match – Djokovic missed out on two match points.
Another tie-break was seen and the outcome was again the same as Djokovic escaped with a tight two-set win. “It was a great performance from my opponent today and I want to congratulate him for a great fight. He played like a Top 10 opponent.
He was serving big, hitting his spots and on a fast court like this it’s tough to break, so two tie-breaks is a realistic score in today’s match. I’m glad to overcome the challenge,” Djokovic said after the match.
