Novak Djokovic has formally withdrawn from the draw for the Indian Wells event, organisers stated on Sunday in a sign that the world primary’s software for a COVID-19 vaccine waiver to enter the U.S. might need failed.
The Serbian, who is without doubt one of the most high-profile athletes unvaccinated in opposition to the virus, utilized to the U.S. authorities final month for particular permission to play at ATP Masters occasions at Indian Wells and Miami.
“World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. Along with his withdrawal, Nikoloz Basilashvili strikes into the sphere,” organisers stated in an announcement late on Sunday.
The U.S. at present bars unvaccinated foreigners from entry into the nation, a coverage that’s anticipated to be lifted when the federal government ends its COVID-19 emergency declarations on Could 11.
Djokovic has not competed on the back-to-back ATP Masters occasions in Indian Wells and Miami, two of the largest tournaments on the ATP calendar and generally known as the “Sunshine Double”, since 2019.
Nobody from Djokovic’s workforce was instantly obtainable to touch upon the withdrawal.
Final Friday, Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio wrote a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden urging him to grant the waiver request.
Indian Wells event director Tommy Haas, the USA Tennis Affiliation and the U.S. Open had been amongst these additionally hoping the 22-time Grand Slam champion can be allowed to enter.
He would have been a heavy favourite to win his sixth Indian Wells title when the event kicks off within the Southern California desert on Wednesday.
Djokovic, who missed final 12 months’s Australian Open resulting from his vaccination standing and was not allowed into the U.S. for final 12 months’s U.S. Open, has stated he would skip Grand Slams fairly than have a COVID shot.
He received his record-tying 22th main championships on the Australian Open in January.
This story has been revealed from a wire company feed with out modifications to the textual content.