History repeats itself for Novak Djokovic. Like last year, the world number 1 could not enter the territory of the United States to compete in the Indian Wells Masters 1,000 from Wednesday. His status as not vaccinated against Covid-19 is of course still in question. “Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the tournament” taking place in the Californian desert, organizers announced on Sunday evening, in a short statement adding that Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili will take the place of the 35-year-old Serb in the men’s draw.
“Nole” had requested a special exemption from local authorities in recent weeks. “If it is refused to me, I will withdraw from Indian Wells of course, before the draw”, he had assured. He had to come to terms with it. And if the authorities have not publicly communicated their response to his request, the reason for the forced absence of the co-recordman of the number of Grand Slams won (22, like Rafael Nadal), is hardly a mystery.
In recent days, many voices have been heard to plead his case. “It would be a shame in my eyes if he was not allowed to come” to the United States, had declared Tommy Haas, the director of the Indian Wells tournament. The American Tennis Federation and the organizers of the US Open – of which the Serb had been deprived for the same reasons in 2022, after his expulsion from Australia – had for their part done their best, supporting his approach. But without effect.
A hope for the US Open
Djokovic will therefore not receive any preferential treatment from Washington, which does not allow entry into the country to unvaccinated international travelers. And the US Transportation Security Agency (TSA) recently indicated that this measure will not change until at least mid-April.
Also, in addition to the Indian Wells event which will end on March 19, Djokovic should, barring a reversal of the situation, have to give up participating in the other Masters 1,000 which will follow, the Miami Open scheduled for March 22 to 2 april. Hope remains on the other hand for the summer tour this summer, with the US Open as a highlight.