Novak Djokovic, number one in the world, has had to withdraw from the Indian Wells Masters 1000 after failing to obtain permission to enter the United States without being vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Californian tournament announced the last-minute drop on its Twitter account: “World number one Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. With his withdrawal, Nikoloz Basilashvili enters the main draw,” he said.

Despite the fact that the United States Tennis Association (USTA) has supported the Serbian to be able to compete in his upcoming tournaments, Novak will not be able to enter the United States after the Government extension -until May 11, 2023- of require all visitors to complete the vaccination schedule.

Thus, Djokovic will not be able to compete in an Indian Wells which will begin this Monday, and neither will it in Miami, scheduled for March 19. Nevertheless, The Serbian may be -if the authorities do not say otherwise- at the US Openthe last Grand Slam of the season, starting on August 28.