Unjabbed Novak Djokovic is INCLUDED in the Indian Wells draw despite the tournament only allowing vaccinated players to play and the US BANNING the unvaxxed from entering the country
- Novak Djokovic was in the draw for the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells
- That’s despite uncertainty US health authorities will allow him into California
- Former world No 1 Djokovic, 34, refuses to get vaccinated against Covid-19
- It led to him being barred from the Australian Open earlier this year
- Djokovic has stated he is willing to miss tournaments rather than get jabbed
- He is scheduled to play either David Goffin or Jordan Thompson on Saturday
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Novak Djokovic has been included in the Indian Wells draw but it remains unclear whether the unvaccinated former world No 1 will be permitted to enter the United States for the tournament.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner’s refusal to take the Covid-19 vaccine saw him booted out of the Australian Open following an 11-day legal wrangle earlier this year.
And the Serbian, 34, is still waiting to hear whether the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] will grant him a visa to take part in the BNP Paribas Open in California later this week.
Djokovic received a first round bye and will play either David Goffin or Jordan Thompson in the second round this Saturday if he is allowed into the country.
Novak Djokovic is still waiting to discover whether he will be allowed into the United States to play at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in California
The current rules do not allow non-US citizens who are not vaccinated against Covid-19 entry
A statement from the organisers read: ‘Novak Djokovic is on the tournament entry list, and therefore is placed into the draw today.
‘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.’
The CDC website as of March 3 indicated that non-US citizens who are not immigrants must show proof of vaccination against Covid-19 in order to travel by air to the United States.
The Serbian has refused to get vaccinated and stated he is willing to miss tournaments
Tournament officials at Indian Wells have made clear that everyone allowed on site must be vaccinated.
In an interview with the BBC, Djokovic said: ‘I was never against vaccination but I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.’
Djokovic has made clear he is willing to miss tournaments rather than get himself vaccinated against the virus.
His hopes of competing at the French Open in Paris received a major boost earlier this month with the news France is suspending its vaccination pass amid falling cases.
It also means Djokovic is free to play at the Monte-Carlo Masters beginning on April 10, which could be his next tournament, before heading on to Roland Garros.
Djokovic was sent home from Australia after being held in a Melbourne hotel for 11 days
He played his first tournament of the year in Dubai last week but has been overtaken by Daniil Medvedev at the top of the world rankings.
Djokovic, the only player in the men’s top 100 not be vaccinated against Covid, was unable to defend his Australian Open title earlier this year after a protracted row over his visa which saw him detained in an immigration hotel for 11 days in Melbourne before being sent home.
Having initially been granted an exemption to play despite not being vaccinated, Djokovic saw his visa offer withdrawn over inaccuracies on his documents.
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