Novak Djokovic’s vaccine stance sparks confusion at Indian Wells
Djokovic, the second seed, has been included in the main draw for the BNP Paribas Open
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Your support makes all the difference.Novak Djokovic has been included in the draw for the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, but doubt remains over the 34-year-old’s participation in the first Masters Series event of 2022.
Djokovic is seeded second, earning him a bye into the second round, and is due to face the winner of the match between Jordan Thompson and David Goffin.
However any non-US citizen wishing to enter the United States must be vaccinated under rules set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The 20-time Grand Slam winner has publicly stated that he is not vaccinated.
Tournament organisers have said they are in communication with Djokovic’s team and the CDC to determine if he will be able to play in California.
“Novak Djokovic is on the tournament entry list, and therefore is placed into the draw today,” the BNP Paribas Open said in a statement.
“We are currently in communication with his team; however, it has not been determined if he will participate in the event by getting CDC approval to enter the country.
“We will provide updates in the future as we learn more.”
Djokovic was deported from Australia in January despite receiving a medical exemption to defend his Australian Open title as an unvaccinated player.
The Serbian admitted that false information had been included on his entry visa forms in a “mistake”, and that he had knowingly breached self-isolation rules by attending an interview after testing positive for Covid before Christmas.
Djokovic has since said that he is willing to miss other major tournaments rather than be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
He is set to be allowed to play in the year’s next Grand Slam, the French Open at Roland Garros, after the French government eased strict rules requiring a vaccination pass to attend sporting events in the country.
Djokovic’s first match at Indian Wells will not come before Saturday.
Andy Murray, who has progressed as a qualifier into the opening round of the tournament, is a potential third round opponent for his long-time rival should Djokovic be permitted to play.
Defending champion Cameron Norrie has also received a first-round bye, and is seeded 12th, but finds himself in the same quarter of the draw as Stefanos Tsitsipas and new world number one Daniil Medvedev.
Medvedev will play as a neutral athlete after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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