Novak Djokovic withdraws from Indian Wells tennis event after his waiver request is denied

The BNP Paribas Open has announced that world number one Novak Djokovic has pulled out, marking the fourth year in a row he won't be competing at the storied Indian Wells tennis competition. Less than a week after telling media that he had requested for a waiver to get around an American requirement that all international visitors coming into the US have the COVID-19 vaccination, Djokovic withdrew from the tournament. On May 11, the requirement is due to expire. On February 22, Djokovic told reporters, "It's not in my control. "I'm awaiting a response. I only know that the process is underway, but I am happy to have the tournament directors' backing. I simply wish the decision-making third party shared my perspective. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden will host the BNP Paribas Open from March 6–19. Nikoloz Basilashvili, who is rated 113th, enters the men's draw as a result of Djokovic's withdrawal. Djokovic surpassed WTA icon Steffi Graf's record for the most weeks spent at the top of the sport on Monday as he started his 378th week at the top of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. Djokovic, 35, has become the second well-known male tennis player to withdraw from the most popular international tennis event outside of the majors. In order to recover from a leg injury sustained during the Australian Open, which Djokovic won, Rafael Nadal withdrew from the competition on February 28 to equal Rafael Nadal's record of 22 Grand Slam victories in the history of men's tennis.

The absence of Djokovic, the top-ranked man in tennis, is undoubtedly a setback for the BNP Paribas Open this year. For more than a decade, the top draws in the sport have been Djokovic, Nadal, and Roger Federer, who gave up playing last year. Since 2019, Djokovic has missed Indian Wells and the Miami Open (often known as the Sunshine Double), in part because to COVID-19 and the travel requirement. After the U.S. Open, Indian Wells and Miami host the two biggest championships in the country. The United States Tennis Association and the U.S. Open jointly released a statement on Friday pleading for Djokovic to be granted a visa exemption so that he may visit the nation and take part in events there, beginning this week with Indian Wells. The USTA and the US Open expressed their optimism that Novak would be granted entry into the nation and that spectators would be able to watch him compete again in Indian Wells and Miami  past No. 2 in the globe.

The Indian Wells tournament director, Tommy Haas, stated in the public last month that it would be "a shame" if Djokovic couldn't compete at Indian Wells and Miami because of the rules. Has engaged a number of organisations in an effort to bring Djokovic to the nation. It would "be a terrible shame," according to veteran player John McEnroe, if Djokovic couldn't visit the United States, during a teleconference with media late last month. With him and Rafael both being 22, this is undoubtedly a historic moment in our sport, McEnroe added. "If you ask me, it's fairly intriguing." "I believe it's a complete farce that he's not permitted to play," McEnroe continued. Djokovic has won the event in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, and 2016, giving him the greatest career victory percentage (84.75%) at Indian Wells. Moreover, Djokovic broke the event record by winning 20 straight games from 2014 to 2017. In 2019, Djokovic last competed in Indian Wells. Because to the COVID-19 epidemic, the event was cancelled in 2020, and when it was moved from March to October in 2021, participants elected not to participate. He was unable to go to the United States for the 2022 competition because of the prohibition. In the past, Djokovic has stated that forfeiting tournaments was "the price I am ready to pay" due to his anti-vaccination attitude.