World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has formally withdrawn from the draw for this yr’s Indian Wells match, organizers introduced Sunday, suggesting that the Serb request for an exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for getting into the U.S. could have been unsuccessful.
The Serbian, who is among 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“World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. With his withdrawal, Nikoloz Basilashvili moves into the field,” organizers mentioned 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 May 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 often known as the “Sunshine Double,” since 2019.
No one from Djokovic’s staff was instantly out there to touch upon the withdrawal.
Last 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 match director Tommy Haas, the United States Tennis Association and the U.S. Open have been amongst these additionally hoping the 22-time Grand Slam champion could be allowed to enter.
He would have been a heavy favourite to win his sixth Indian Wells title when the match kicks off within the Southern California desert on Wednesday.
Djokovic, who missed final yr’s Australian Open due to his vaccination standing and was not allowed into the U.S. for final yr’s U.S. Open, has mentioned he would skip Grand Slams moderately than have a COVID shot.
He received his record-tying twenty second main championship on the Australian Open in January.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
