Novak Djokovic denied US entry over COVID vaccine policy

Novak Djokovic has been ruled out of next week's Miami Open after the Serbian was denied an exemption that would have allowed him to enter the United States despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19, tournament director James Blake said.

Being not vaccinated against COVID-19 remains a requirement of international travellers but Djokovic had hoped to be granted special permission to enter the country.

The policy is expected to be lifted when the government ends its COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11.

Tournament organisers said they "exhausted all the options" in an effort to secure him a travel exemption. The 22-time Grand Slam winner has also withdrawn from the Indian Wells Open.