World number-1 Novak Djokovic denied entry to Indian Wells without vaccination, unable to play
The organizers say that the security unit has refused the request for Djokovic to play without vaccination. The Grand Slam champion lost in the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championship recently.
Top-seeded Novak Djokovic has withdrawn his name from the BNP Paribas Open. His attempt to enter the tournament in Southern California without the COVID-19 vaccination has been unsuccessful. The women’s and men’s tennis tournaments at Indian Wells will begin on Wednesday.
The organizers say that the security unit has rejected Djokovic’s request to play without vaccination. The Grand Slam champion recently lost in the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championship.
Djokovic suffered a loss in the Dubai Open:
Novak Djokovic recently suffered a defeat at the hands of Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the final of the Dubai Open. This ended Djokovic’s streak of 15 consecutive victories. Medvedev defeated the world number one player 6-4, 6-4 to earn a place in the final. There, he defeated Russia’s own Andrey Rublev 6-2, 6-2 to claim the title.
Novak Djokovic had hopes of going to America:
Novak Djokovic will not be able to play in the Indian Wells starting from March 8 as he has not taken the coronavirus vaccine. He had hoped to be granted a visa exemption in the United States, but that did not happen. After losing in the Dubai Open, Djokovic had said, “I am still waiting for news from America. If I can’t play in America, I’ll play on clay courts. Maybe Monte Carlo is the next tournament. If so, I will take some time off and prepare.”