MADRID, 6 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Serbian Novak Djokovic, number one in the world, has withdrawn from the Indian Wells tournament, the first Masters 1,000 of the season, after not being able to enter the United States for not being vaccinated against COVID-19, reported the organization of the contest.
“World number one Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. With his withdrawal, Nikoloz Basilashvili enters the main draw,” the California-based tournament confirmed on Twitter, without giving further details.
Djokovic cannot currently enter the United States because he has not been vaccinated against COVID-19. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and US Open organizers have backed the 22-time Grand Slam winner being allowed into the country to participate in this month’s tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami despite your vaccination status.
The United States requires foreigners entering the country to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with no possibility of submitting a negative result as an alternative. The regulations are scheduled to officially change on May 11. The Indian Wells main draw begins on Wednesday, while the Miami Masters 1,000 is scheduled for March 19. The US Open will begin on August 28.
Last year, Djokovic missed both the Australian Open -after being deported from the oceanic country- and the US Open for not being vaccinated against the coronavirus.