Novak Djokovic has had to withdraw from the Miami Open despite organisers insisting they "tried everything" to allow him to play in the tournament.
Some 14 months after the explosive saga which saw him deported out of Melbourne the day before the Australian Open began, a refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19 continues to plague his career. He was able to make a triumphant return to Melbourne Park this January however, after his visa ban was revoked.
But the 22-time Grand Slam champion is still not permitted to enter the US, with the country maintaining its ban on unvaccinated travellers. The ruling cost the Serb a place at the Indian Wells Masters this month, but he retained hope he could be granted an exemption for next week's Miami Open.
