Djokovic will miss Miami Open after being rejected for vaccine exemption

Tennis star Novak Djokovic will miss the Miami Open after failing to get an exemption under coronavirus vaccine rules to enter the United States.

The world No. 1, who is not vaccinated against the coronavirus, had hoped U.S. authorities would grant him an exemption so he could play at Indian Wells and the Miami

Open. The Transportation Security Administration requires proof of vaccination from air travelers under a rule in place through at least April 10.

But Miami Open tournament director James

Blake said that while they tried to secure entry for the 35-year-old Serbian, “that wasn’t able to happen.”

“We run one of the premier tournaments in the world. We’d like to have the best players that can play . . . . And we did all we could, tried to talk to the government, but that’s out of our hands,” Blake told Tennis Channel on Friday. “We’d love to have him, and he’s our greatest champion. He’s won six times here . . . . But unfortunately, that’s way above my pay grade.”

Tournament officials in Indian Wells, Calif., also said Djokovic had withdrawn earlier this month.

Politicians including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have recently urged President Joe Biden to exempt the topranked player so he could compete in the Miami Open, set to take place from Monday to April 2 in Miami Gardens.

UM WALKS IT OFF VS. VIRGINIA TECH

Junior third baseman Yohandy Morales delivered a walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth Friday night, lifting the University of Miami to a 4-3 victory over 17thranked Virginia Tech.

“I told Zach [Levenson] in the dugout, ‘Don’t even get your things. You’re not coming up to bat,’ ” Morales said.

With the Hurricanes (12-6, 3-1 ACC) and Hokies (12-5, 1-3) deadlocked in the ninth, sophomore Edgardo Villegas was hit by a pitch, then Morales ripped an opposite-field rocket into the right-center field gap.

ETC.

Golf: Australia’s Marc Leishman made seven birdies and just one bogey to emerge with the lead after the first round of LIV Golf Tucson late Friday in Marana, Ariz. Leishman carded a 6-under-par 65 at The Gallery South Course, putting him one stroke ahead of Matthew Wolff, Mexico’s Abraham Ancer and South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen. Leishman, who started play at No. 5, birdied two of his first three holes before registering his lone bogey at the par-4 11th hole. He responded with a birdie at the par-4 12th, then added four more birdies.

MLB: Brandon Nimmo’s status for Opening Day is up in the air with the New York Mets outfielder nursing a right knee and ankle strain.

AA