Reilly Opelka slams Novak Djokovic US entry ban: What a shame

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

Reilly Opelka says it is "a shame" that Novak Djokovic has been denied entry into the United States just because he hasn't been vaccinated against COVID-19. After missing all United States tennis events in 2022, Djokovic asked to be given a special permission to enter the United States for the upcoming Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami.

On Friday, Florida senator Rick Scott reported that Djokovic's request was rejected. "BREAKING: We have been told that @DHSgov just denied @DjokerNole's vaccine waiver request, making him ineligible to compete in the US next week in CA & in the @MiamiOpen.

@JoeBiden must fix this NOW, grant the waiver & allow him to compete here in the states," Florida senator Scott tweeted.

Opelka on Djokovic missing the Sunshine Double: What a shame

"What a shame," Opelka wrote on his Instagram Story regarding the Djokovic news.

Now that Djokovic is set to miss Indian Wells and Miami, he will turn his focus on the clay season. Also, Djokovic is expected to play again at the Monte Carlo Masters, which starts on April 9th. "I don't know what 'the rest' is.

I'm still waiting for the news from America. If there's no America, I guess I'll play clay. Monte-Carlo is probably the next tournament. If that's the case, I'll take some time off, I'll prepare. Clay, as we've said, is the most demanding surface.

It takes time more than any other surface to prepare for. Look, the year is long. I started off the year in a best possible way, winning many matches in a row, winning Australian Open. That's the one that I looked for the most.

That was the priority in this part of the year. Of course, any other tournament win is a bonus. I will always give everything I possibly can to play my best tennis in every tournament. Yeah, look forward to the next challenge," Djokovic said in Dubai.