World number one Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Indian Wells Open after failing to enter the United States without vaccinations to play the tournament in Southern California.
The tournament gave notice of its withdrawal on Sunday night. Activity at the combined ATP and WTA tour tournament begins on Wednesday in Indian Wells and ends on March 19.
Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott posted on Twitter that homeland security had rejected Djokovic’s request for a vaccine exemption, which would have allowed him to play in back-to-back tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami, both in the Masters 1000 Series. , between March 19 and April 2.
The United States will be ending its COVID-19 emergency declaration on May 19, which will allow foreign visitors to enter the country without having been vaccinated.
Djokovic, who has 22 Grand Slam titles, lost in the semifinals of the Championship tournament in Dubai on Friday.
With Djokovic out, Nikoloz Basilashvili took his place in the Indian Wells draw.
