Novak Djokovic was forced to miss the 2022 US Open due his Covid-19 vaccine status. AP Photo
Novak Djokovic was forced to miss the 2022 US Open due his Covid-19 vaccine status. AP Photo
Novak Djokovic was forced to miss the 2022 US Open due his Covid-19 vaccine status. AP Photo
Novak Djokovic was forced to miss the 2022 US Open due his Covid-19 vaccine status. AP Photo

Novak Djokovic able to play at US Open as vaccine mandate set to end on May 11


Steve Luckings
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Novak Djokovic will be clear to compete at the US Open this year after the United States government said it will end its Covid-19 vaccination requirements for international travellers from May 11.

The world No 1 is one of the most high-profile athletes to refuse vaccination and was forced to miss last year's US Open because of his status.

"Today, we are announcing that the administration will end the Covid-19 vaccine requirements for federal employees, federal contractors, and international air travellers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the Covid-19 public health emergency ends," the White House said in a statement Monday.

Djokovic, 35, was unable to enter the country this year after applying to the US government for special permission to play at Indian Wells and Miami.

The Serb said at the time that he had "no regrets" about being forced to miss those tournaments.

He missed last year's Australian Open and was deported from the country because of his vaccine status and has said he would skip Grand Slams rather than have an inoculation.

He returned to Melbourne Park at the start of this year to claim a record-extending 10th Australian Open crown to draw him level with Rafael Nadal on 22 Grand Slam titles.

Djokovic has won three of his 22 majors at the US Open, with his last Flushing Meadow title in 2018. The hardcourt Grand Slam will be held from August 28 to September 10 this year.

Although injury kept him out of the ongoing Madrid Open, Djokovic is due to begin his bid for an overall men's record 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open this month.

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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About Housecall

Date started: July 2020

Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech

# of staff: 10

Funding to date: Self-funded

Aayan%E2%80%99s%20records
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20UAE%20men%E2%80%99s%20cricketer%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EWhen%20he%20debuted%20against%20Bangladesh%20aged%2016%20years%20and%20314%20days%2C%20he%20became%20the%20youngest%20ever%20to%20play%20for%20the%20men%E2%80%99s%20senior%20team.%20He%20broke%20the%20record%20set%20by%20his%20World%20Cup%20squad-mate%2C%20Alishan%20Sharafu%2C%20of%2017%20years%20and%2044%20days.%3Cbr%3E%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20wicket-taker%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAfter%20taking%20the%20wicket%20of%20Bangladesh%E2%80%99s%20Litton%20Das%20on%20debut%20in%20Dubai%2C%20Aayan%20became%20the%20youngest%20male%20cricketer%20to%20take%20a%20wicket%20against%20a%20Full%20Member%20nation%20in%20a%20T20%20international.%3Cbr%3E%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20in%20T20%20World%20Cup%20history%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAayan%20does%20not%20turn%2017%20until%20November%2015%20%E2%80%93%20which%20is%20two%20days%20after%20the%20T20%20World%20Cup%20final%20at%20the%20MCG.%20If%20he%20does%20play%20in%20the%20competition%2C%20he%20will%20be%20its%20youngest%20ever%20player.%20Pakistan%E2%80%99s%20Mohammed%20Amir%2C%20who%20was%2017%20years%20and%2055%20days%20when%20he%20played%20in%202009%2C%20currently%20holds%20the%20record.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Army of the Dead

Director: Zack Snyder

Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera

Three stars

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Day 3 stumps

New Zealand 153 & 249
Pakistan 227 & 37-0 (target 176)

Pakistan require another 139 runs with 10 wickets remaining

Essentials

The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.

'The Batman'

Stars:Robert Pattinson

Director:Matt Reeves

Rating: 5/5

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Updated: May 02, 2023, 7:35 AM