The lengthy look forward to Novak Djokovic to get a COVID-19 vaccine waiver and US visa to play within the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells resulted in unhappiness and frustration as he formally withdrew from the ATP match on Sunday.
“World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. With his withdrawal, Basil Nikolozashvili moves into the field,” learn the remark from the match organisers.
The Serbian, who is likely one of the maximum high-profile athletes unvaccinated towards the virus, carried out to the USA govt closing month for particular permission to play at ATP Masters occasions at Indian Wells and Miami.
The US these days bars unvaccinated foreigners from access into the rustic, a coverage this is anticipated to be lifted when the federal government ends its COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11.
Djokovic has now not competed on the back-to-back ATP Masters occasions in Indian Wells and Miami, two of the largest tournaments at the ATP calendar and referred to as the “Sunshine Double”, since 2019.
No one from Djokovic’s workforce was once right away to be had to remark at 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 match director Tommy Haas, the United States Tennis Association and the USA Open have been amongst the ones additionally hoping the 22-time Grand Slam champion can be allowed to go into.
He would had been a heavy favourite to win his 6th Indian Wells identify when the match kicks off within the Southern California barren region on Wednesday.
Djokovic, who overlooked closing yr’s Australian Open because of his vaccination standing and was once now not allowed into the USA for closing yr’s US Open, has stated he would skip Grand Slams moderately than have a COVID shot.
By successful the Australian Open previous this yr, Djokovic tied for international file 22 Grand Slam titles with Rafael Nadal.
(With company inputs)
“World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. With his withdrawal, Basil Nikolozashvili moves into the field,” learn the remark from the match organisers.
The Serbian, who is likely one of the maximum high-profile athletes unvaccinated towards the virus, carried out to the USA govt closing month for particular permission to play at ATP Masters occasions at Indian Wells and Miami.
The US these days bars unvaccinated foreigners from access into the rustic, a coverage this is anticipated to be lifted when the federal government ends its COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11.
Djokovic has now not competed on the back-to-back ATP Masters occasions in Indian Wells and Miami, two of the largest tournaments at the ATP calendar and referred to as the “Sunshine Double”, since 2019.
No one from Djokovic’s workforce was once right away to be had to remark at 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 match director Tommy Haas, the United States Tennis Association and the USA Open have been amongst the ones additionally hoping the 22-time Grand Slam champion can be allowed to go into.
He would had been a heavy favourite to win his 6th Indian Wells identify when the match kicks off within the Southern California barren region on Wednesday.
Djokovic, who overlooked closing yr’s Australian Open because of his vaccination standing and was once now not allowed into the USA for closing yr’s US Open, has stated he would skip Grand Slams moderately than have a COVID shot.
By successful the Australian Open previous this yr, Djokovic tied for international file 22 Grand Slam titles with Rafael Nadal.
(With company inputs)