Novak Djokovic withdraws from Indian Wells amid US visa row

World number one Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Indian Wells after, earlier, he applied for the special permission to play at the ATP Masters tournaments, the organisers announced amid Djokovic’s US Visa row.

Djokovic’s withdrawal also indicates that his application for a Covid-19 vaccine waiver might have failed to enter the United States.

“World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2023 BNP Paribas Open.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.

The USA currently restricts unvaccinated people from entering the country. However, the restrictions are expected to be lifted after president Joe Biden decided to end the covid-19 emergency declarations on May 11.

The Serbian hasn’t participated in the back-to-back ATP Masters event at Indian Wells and Miami- two of the biggest tournaments on the ATP calendar.

Djokovic also missed the 2022 US Open

Last week, Rick Scott and Marco Rubio from Florida wrote a letter to the US President urging him to grant the waiver request. Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas, the United States Tennis Association and the US Open also back Djokovic to be allowed to play.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion fought a 10-day legal battle to play in last year’s Australian Open. He also went on to miss the 2022 US Open for not being vaccinated. Djokovic stated that he would rather miss the Grand Slams instead of getting vaccinated.

Djokovic, recently, won the Australian Open in January for the 10th time defeating Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.