Disappointed Djokovic dreams of a US visa reprieve

Novak Djokovic is hoping against the odds that his luck will turn regarding what looks to be another ban from entering the US.

The defiantly unvaxxed Serb who has vowed never to take the COVID jabs, is staring down the barrel of being barred from entering the US for a second straight season.

He missed the Indian Wells and Miami Masters last March and is set for a repeat in 2023. He was also unable to travel to the US Open four months ago.

After advancing on Thursday to the quarter-finals of the Adelaide International 7-6(3), 7-6(5) over France’s Quentin Halys, the 35-year-old refused to accept what looks be stark reality.

“I saw it, but I don’t think it’s official yet,” he said of the US ban extended this week until April 10.

Informed that it was, in fact, still the law not to allow in unvaxxed foreigners, Djokovic added: “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, but if I can’t go, I can’t go. That’s it.”

Djokovic is only in Australia after a new government which came to power in 2022 reversed a decision to ban him from re-entry for the usual three years after his deportation from Melbourne a year ago for trying to arrive unvaxxed.