Wimbledon Champ Djokovic Hope U.S. Will Change COVID-19 Rules Before U.S. Open

Tennis pro Novak Djokovic, who over the weekend won his eighth Wimbledon title, expressed his optimism that the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for international visitors will be changed by American authorities in time for him to participate in the U.S. Open later this summer.

“I’m not vaccinated and I’m not planning to get vaccinated so the only good news I can have is them removing the mandated green vaccine card or whatever you call it to enter United States or exemption,”

He told reporters over the weekend, while acknowledging the odds are likely not in his favor.

All non-immigrant non-citizens must currently provide proof of COVID immunization before boarding a flight to the United States.

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The rule was extended by the Department of Homeland Security in April. In its letter announcing the extension, the department stated that it would “closely monitor all relevant circumstances, including the effect of these requirements” and may modify it in the future.

With the spread of the extremely contagious BA.4 and BA.5 varieties, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim account for 70% of current cases, virus cases in the U.S. are increasing.

Djokovic caused a worldwide uproar earlier this year when he was disqualified from the Australian Open because he was not immunized. Due to uncertainty regarding his ability to enter the country unvaccinated, he was also detained by Australian authorities upon arrival.

Djokovic was permitted to compete despite not having received a vaccination by Roland-Garros, the organization in charge of the French Open and Wimbledon.