The Serbian and his team believe he would have been rejected on the basis of his COVID-19 status
Tennis star Novak Djokovic has formally withdrawn from the Indian Wells tournament, citing issues to do with his COVID-19 vaccination status.
The Serbian applied to the U.S. government last month for special permission to play at the ATP Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami.
“World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. With his withdrawal, Nikoloz Basilashvili moves into the field,” organisers said in a statement
Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio wrote a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden urging him to grant the waiver request.
The U.S. currently bars unvaccinated foreigners from entry into the country. The policy is expected to be lifted when the government ends its COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11.
