Novak Djokovic, World tennis number one player, has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open, the tournament has announced, marking the fourth consecutive year he will not play at the iconic Indian Wells tennis tournament. He withdrew his tournament participation after his waiver request was denied.
This withdrawal comes a little more than a week after the number one star from Serbia star told reporters he had applied for a waiver to bypass a vaccine mandate in the United States that all foreign travelers flying into the country be vaccinated for COVID-19. The mandate will expire May 11.
“It’s not in my hands,” Djokovic told reporters on Feb. 22. “I am waiting for an answer. All I know is that the process is ongoing, but I am glad I have the support of the tournament directors. I just hope that the third party, which makes the decision, will think the same.”
Djokovic on Monday made history by overtaking WTA legend Steffi Graf’s record for the most weeks spent at the top of the sport. He is starting his 378th week as No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.
With his withdrawal, Djokovic, 35, is now the second high-profile men’s tennis player to withdraw from the highest-attended international tennis tournament outside of the majors. Rafael Nadal withdrew from the event on Feb. 28 because of a leg injury he suffered at the Australian Open, which Djokovic won to tie him with Nadal for most Grand Slam titles (22) in the history of men’s tennis. Roger Federer retired from active playing last year. The trio has been the biggest draws in the game for more than a decade.
The Indian Wells and Miami are the two largest American tournaments outside of the U.S. Open.
Last Friday, the United States Tennis Association and the U.S. Open both issued a statement calling for Djokovic to be exempted to enter the country and take part in its tournaments, starting this week with Indian Wells.
“The USTA and the US Open are hopeful that Novak is successful in his petition to enter the country, and that the fans will be able to see him back in action at Indian Wells and Miami,” the statement read.
According to former world number two, Tommy Haas, the tournament director at Indian Wells, said publicly last month that it would be “a disgrace” if Djokovic could not play at Indian Wells and Miami because of COVID restrictions.
Echoing the same tune, late last month, while on call with reporters, legendary player John McEnroe said that “it would be a damn shame” if Djokovic was unable to come to the U.S.
“This is a historic time in our sport, obviously, with him and Rafael both at 22,” McEnroe said. “It’s pretty interesting if you ask me.”
McEnroe added, “I think it’s a complete joke that he’s not allowed to play.”
Having won the tournament in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2016, Djokovic holds the best career win percentage (84.75%) at Indian Wells. Djokovic also set the tournament record with 20 consecutive wins from 2014 to 2017.
In 2022, Djokovic reportedly said that missing tournaments over his vaccination belief was, “the price I am willing to pay.”
The BNP Paribas Open will run from March 6-19 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
With Djokovic’s withdrawal, Nikoloz Basilashvili, who is ranked 113, moves into the men’s draw.
