History repeats itself for Novak Djokovic. Like last year, the world number 1 could not enter the territory of the United States to play the Masters 1,000 of Indian Wells from Wednesday. His status as unvaccinated against Covid-19 is of course still in question. "Novak Djokovic has declared forfeit for the tournament" taking place in the California desert, the organizers announced Sunday night, in a short statement adding that Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili will take the place of the 35-year-old Serb in the men's draw.

"Nole" had requested a special exemption from local authorities in recent weeks. "If it is denied, I will withdraw from Indian Wells of course, before the draw," he said. He had to come to terms with it. And if the authorities have not publicly communicated their response to his request, the reason for the forced absence of the co-record holder of the number of Grand Slams won (22, like Rafael Nadal), is hardly a mystery.



In recent days, many voices had been heard to plead his case. "It would be a shame in my eyes if he was not allowed to come" to the United States, said Tommy Haas, the director of the Indian Wells tournament. The US Tennis Federation and the organizers of the US Open – which the Serb had been deprived of for the same reasons in 2022, after his expulsion from Australia – had for their part done their best, supporting his approach. But to no effect.

A hope for the US Open

Djokovic will therefore not receive any preferential treatment from Washington, which does not allow entry into the country to unvaccinated international travelers. And the U.S. Transportation Security Agency (TSA) recently indicated that this measure would not change until at least mid-April.

Also, in addition to the Indian Wells event that will end on March 19, Djokovic should, unless the situation turns around, have to give up participating in the other Masters 1,000 that will follow, the Miami Open scheduled from March 22 to April 2. Hope remains however allowed for the summer tour this summer, with the US Open as a highlight.


  • Tennis
  • Sport
  • Novak Djokovic
  • Indian wells
  • Covid 19
  • Anti-vaccine
  • Anti-covid vaccine
  • USA