Djokovic withdraws from Indian Wells due to US visa dispute

Novak Djokovic has formally withdrawn from the Indian Wells bracket, organizers said on Sunday, an indication that the world number one’s call for a Covid-19 vaccination exemption to enter the United States may have failed.

The Serbian, who is one of the top athletes not vaccinated against the virus, applied to the US government last month for special permission to play in Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami.

“World number one Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open 2023. With his retirement, Nikoloz Basilashvili enters the group,” the tournament organizers said in a statement on Sunday.

The United States currently bans unvaccinated foreign nationals from entering the country, a policy that is expected to be lifted when the government ends its declaration of a Covid-19 emergency on May 11.

Djokovic has not competed in back-to-back ATP Masters tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami, two of the biggest tournaments on the ATP schedule and known as the “Sunshine Double”, since 2019.

None of Djokovic’s team was immediately available for comment on the retirement.

Last Friday, Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio wrote a letter to the President of the United States, Joe Biden, urging him to grant the tennis player release from prison.

Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas, the US Tennis Association and the US Open were among those hoping the 22-time Grand Slam champion could enter the country.

Source: Terra

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