"I need as many Rafole free tournaments as possible" - Tennis fans react to Novak Djokovic awaiting verdict on Indian Wells & Miami participation

Tennis fans across the world have reacted to Novak Djokovic's possible exclusion from the 2023 Indian Wells and Miami Masters.

Djokovic is likely to miss this year's ATP 1000 events at Indian Wells and Miami, as he is unvaccinated against COVID-19. He recently discussed his involvement in the upcoming Indian Wells Masters tournament after defeating Hubert Hurkacz to advance to the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The United States has eased restrictions for unvaccinated foreign nationals entering the country, but this rule will not take effect until April 10, while Indian Wells begins on March 8.

During his post-match press conference, Djokovic expressed hope that any rule changes or relaxations that would enable him to compete would be made in time, but if not, he would have to reluctantly withdraw.

Tennis fans around the world responded with a variety of reactions to the news. While some were deeply disappointed, others were eager for the tournaments to continue without any disruption. Taking to Twitter, one fan commented that they would be happy if the tournaments were free of Rafael Nadal and the Serb.

"Sorry to him and yeah it doesn’t make sense at this point but i need as many rafole free tournaments as possible and he isn’t ruining this for me ❌," they wrote.

supreme leader of glorious norrienation

@rogerchokerer

sorry to him and yeah it doesn’t make sense at this point but i need as many rafole free tournaments as possible and he isn’t ruining this for me twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

Reem Abulleil

@ReemAbulleil

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

15

1

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

sorry to him and yeah it doesn’t make sense at this point but i need as many rafole free tournaments as possible and he isn’t ruining this for me ❌ twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

Another fan urged US President Joe Biden to let the World No. 1 play.

"Let the GOAT play @JoeBiden," they commented.

Le5-6

@deepyy_

Let the GOAT play @JoeBiden twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

Reem Abulleil

@ReemAbulleil

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

2

12

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

Let the GOAT play @JoeBiden twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

Here are a few more reactions from fans:

viv!!

@taylrfritz

hope he can’t play indian wells so taylor can be free and then idc abt miami twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

Reem Abulleil

@ReemAbulleil

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

86

12

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

hope he can’t play indian wells so taylor can be free and then idc abt miami twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

José Morgado

@josemorgado

Decision expected in the next 2/3 days... twitter.com/ReemAbulleil/s…

Reem Abulleil

@ReemAbulleil

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

64

1

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

Decision expected in the next 2/3 days... twitter.com/ReemAbulleil/s…

hika✨

@hikar1_y

california officially ended its covid emergency state yesterday.

at this point any vaccine related travel restriction is a conformity test. twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

Reem Abulleil

@ReemAbulleil

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

1

12

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

california officially ended its covid emergency state yesterday.

at this point any vaccine related travel restriction is a conformity test. twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

Femi

@sure_boiiii

cba anymore. Win Dubai and let’s prepare for clay season. We have a date with destiny at Roland Garros! twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

Reem Abulleil

@ReemAbulleil

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

86

12

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

cba anymore. Win Dubai and let’s prepare for clay season. We have a date with destiny at Roland Garros! twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

Mark Thorne

@mthorne2

@ReemAbulleil I'm glad to hear he will pull out before the draw. He probably is not going to be let in before May to the United States. I don't think they typically make exceptions.

3

@ReemAbulleil I'm glad to hear he will pull out before the draw. He probably is not going to be let in before May to the United States. I don't think they typically make exceptions.

luke walsh

@lukkkkkkkeee

This is moronic!!! LETS @DjokerNole IN twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

Reem Abulleil

@ReemAbulleil

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

86

12

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

This is moronic!!! LETS @DjokerNole IN twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

gagged them a bit.. for sure🤭

@vixenjennie

@ReemAbulleil he needs to give it up already ur not being let in

1

@ReemAbulleil he needs to give it up already ur not being let in 😂

Chloe💫🎾 || Dubai Slam Era

@psychlo808

I need as many non big 3 tournaments as I can get twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

Reem Abulleil

@ReemAbulleil

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

2

12

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

I need as many non big 3 tournaments as I can get twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

night cheese

@cheeseatnight

@ReemAbulleil did anyone ask him: “what happened to ‘accepting the consequences’ of choosing to remain unvaccinated?”

4

@ReemAbulleil did anyone ask him: “what happened to ‘accepting the consequences’ of choosing to remain unvaccinated?”

Mel

@melvinjtk

Give it up Novak twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

Reem Abulleil

@ReemAbulleil

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

86

12

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

Give it up Novak twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

Jaye

@Jaye622

This is exhausting. twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

Reem Abulleil

@ReemAbulleil

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

87

12

Novak Djokovic is still waiting to hear news on whether he will be allowed entry into the US to play Indian Wells and Miami:

“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw.”

This is exhausting. twitter.com/reemabulleil/s…

Novak Djokovic to face Daniil Medvedev in the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships semifinals

Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev at the 2021 Australian Open

Top seed Novak Djokovic will face off against third seed Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals of the ATP 500 Dubai Tennis Championships on Friday.

The Serb, who has held the top spot in the ATP rankings for an incredible 378 weeks, is off to a perfect start this season. He secured a convincing straight-sets victory against Marseille winner Hubert Hurkacz in his previous match.

Medvedev, meanwhile, defeated Borna Coric for his 12th consecutive victory, having won the Rotterdam and Doha titles in the two weeks prior. He is now 17-2 on the season.

Djokovic and Medvedev have had some great battles over the years. The Serb holds a commanding 9-4 head-to-head record, but Medvedev famously denied Djokovic a calendar Grand Slam in the 2021 US Open final. Friday's semifinal in Dubai promises to be another thrilling affair.

​