what does it achieve by preventing him from playing?
It is generally considered that the virus has weakened in its severity. he is being made an example o because the american government do not want a tennis star influencing people to not take a vaccination. yet have they not relaxed the rules on mask wearing, this would indicate that the usa government, either believe in herd immunity or the virus is weakening in its severity below are examples.
California

California allowed its universal indoor mask mandate to expire on Feb. 15 and stopped requiring masks in schools on March 11. The state also lifted its remaining indoor mask mandate for unvaccinated people in public settings on March 1.
Connecticut

A mask edict covering students and staff in the state’s schools was lifted Feb. 28. School districts can still opt to keep their mandates in place.
Delaware

The state’s masking rule for businesses and workplaces expired on Feb. 11. The one for schools expired on March 1.
Hawaii

An indoor mask mandate, the final statewide masking rule in place, ended on March 25.
Illinois

The state’s mask requirement for schools ended on Feb. 28. A statewide indoor mask indoor mask mandate was lifted on the same day.
Maryland

Maryland’s mask mandate for state office buildings ended on Feb. 22. A Maryland legislative committee approved the state board of education’s decision to allow all 24 local school districts to decide whether to require face coverings in schools on Feb. 25. The decision, effective immediately, ended an emergency order mandating mask-wearing in schools.
Massachusetts

The statewide school mask mandate expired on Feb. 28.
Nevada

The state lifted its statewide mask mandate on Feb. 10.
New Jersey

New Jersey stopped requiring students and school employees to wear masks on March 7.
New Mexico

The state lifted its indoor mask mandate, including for schools, on Feb. 17.
New York

New York’s stringent mask-or-vaccine mandate, which required businesses to demand proof of full vaccination or mask-wearing at all times in indoor public spaces, expired on Feb. 10, while the state’s school mask mandate ended on March 2. As of March 7, students in New York City no longer have to wear masks indoors at public schools.
Oregon

Oregon lifted its mask mandate for indoor public spaces, including schools, on March 12.
Pennsylvania

A mask requirement for K-12 students ended on Jan. 17.
Puerto Rico

Pedro R. Pierluisi, the governor of Puerto Rico, announced that starting on March 10, masks would no longer be required in most outdoor or indoor venues, including schools.
Rhode Island

An indoor mask mandate ended on Feb. 11.
Virginia

A new law enacted on Feb. 16 effectively barred mask mandates in schools, by giving parents the right to exempt their children from mask-wearing without stating a reason beginning March 1. An executive order to the same effect, issued by the governor in January, was blocked in the courts.
Washington

A statewide mask requirement for various indoor settings, including schools, was lifted on March 12. The state’s outdoor mask mandate expired on Feb. 18.
Washington, D.C.

The city’s indoor mask mandate ended on March 1.

sorce new york times