"What a shame" - Reilly Opelka laments Novak Djokovic's Indian Wells Masters situation after Serb is reportedly denied entry into the US

Reilly Opelka has expressed his sheer dissent at Novak Djokovic reportedly being denied an exemption from the vaccine mandate in the United States, thus ending his chances of playing at the Indian Wells Masters and Miami Open. Opelka called it a shame and taunted the government for still having the mandate in place.

Late on Friday, Rick Scott, the US Senator for the state of Florida, revealed that the Department of Homeland Security of the US government had denied Djokovic's request for an exemption to enter the country despite being unvaccinated. Scott, along with fellow Florida Senator Marco Rubio, had earlier written a formal letter to US President Joe Biden, urging him to intervene in the matter and grant Djokovic entry into the country.

However, as things stand, the 22-time Grand Slam champion's chances of playing in Indian Wells and Miami look very bleak, particularly after Scott's revelation of the denial of the Serb's request. Reacting to the situation, Opelka deeply lamented the same.

"What a shame," Reilly Opelka wrote on Instagram.

Reilly Opelka reacts to the current world No. 1's Indian Wells-Miami situation.

Reilly Opelka expresses his dissatisfaction at the Serb's situation.

The US government has already announced that the vaccine mandate will be lifted in early May, allowing the Serbian player the opportunity to participate in the Cincinnati Masters and the US Open later in the year.

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US Open and Miami Open publicly come out in support of Novak Djokovic

The Serbian tennis superstar in action during the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The USTA and US Open authorities declared their support for Novak Djokovic, sharing an official statement expressing their hope that the Serbian great will eventually be successful in getting an exemption from the vaccination rules and thus be able to play in Indian Wells and Miami.

“Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest champions our sport has ever seen. The USTA and US Open are hopeful that Novak is successful in his petition to enter the country, and that the fans will be able to see him back in action at Indian Wells and Miami,” a social media statement from the US Open read.

The current World No. 1 also received backing from the Miami Open, where he is a six-time champion. In another official social media statement, the Miami Open stated that they would like for Florida residents to get another opportunity to see one of the all-time greats compete in the region.

“Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest tennis players of all time and a six-time champion of the Miami Open. We hope he is allowed entry into the country so Floridians have the opportunity to see him compete once again,” the Miami Open wrote on Twitter.

Earlier, the three-time US Open champion himself confirmed that he will withdraw from the Indian Wells Masters before the draw is made, if he does not receive a positive response on his exemption application.