Novak Djokovic has formally withdrawn from the draw for the Indian Wells tournament, in an indication that the world No.1s application for a COVID-19 vaccine waiver to enter the United States might have failed.
The Serbian, who is one of the most high-profile athletes unvaccinated against the virus, applied to the US government last month for special permission to play at ATP Masters events at Indian Wells and Miami.
“World No.1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. With his withdrawal, Nikoloz Basilashvili moves into the field,” organisers said in a statement late on Sunday.
The US currently bars unvaccinated foreigners from entry into the country, a policy that is expected to be lifted when the government ends its COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11.
The decision to ban the Serbian star from entering the country has drawn criticism, with US political comedian Bill Maher scathing on his show ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’.
“Imminent danger? Of a man playing tennis? Of a man who has had it (COVID-19) twice?” said Maher.
“He’s standing alone. A sport where you stand alone in the middle of a stadium, outside, in a country where everyone has already had it. No imminent danger? This country is stuck on stupid, it just is.”
Djokovic has not competed at the back-to-back ATP Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami, two of the biggest tournaments on the ATP calendar and known as the “Sunshine Double”, since 2019.
No one from Djokovic’s team was immediately available to comment on the withdrawal.
Last Friday, Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio wrote a letter to US President Joe Biden urging him to grant the waiver request.
Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas, the United States Tennis Association and the US Open were among those also hoping the 22-time grand slam champion would be allowed to enter.
He would have been a heavy favourite to win his sixth Indian Wells title when the tournament begins in the southern California desert on Wednesday.
Djokovic, who missed last year’s Australian Open due to his vaccination status and was not allowed into the US for last year’s Open, has said he would skip grand slams rather than have a COVID shot.
He won his record-tying 22nd major championship at the Australian Open in January.
With Newstime Media
