Novak Djokovic ‘Won’t Be Able To Play’ At Indian Wells, Miami Because Of Vaccination Status

Novak Djokovic won’t play at the so-called “Sunshine Swing” in the United States this month due to being unvaccinated against Covid-19.

The world No. 2 Tweeted Wednesday that’s he’s not permitted to travel to the U.S. for the events.

U.S. citizens, permanent residents and those traveling on an immigration visa are not required to be fully vaccinated to come into the country, but foreign visitors are required to be fully vaccinated.

Djokovic had originally been listed on the entry list for Indian Wells, which runs March 7-20, but knew it was unlikely he would be able to compete. World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev and Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal, who has won 15 straight matches, headline the draw at Indian Wells.

The Miami Open follows March 21-April 3.

Djokovic has won Indian Wells five times and Miami six.

The 34-year-old Serb recently told the BBC he’s willing to skip future Grand Slam tournaments in defense of his vaccination status, although it now appears he will be able to defend his title at the French Open this spring as the pandemic wanes.

Djokovic remains at 20 Grand Slam titles, tied with Roger Federer and one behind Nadal’s 21, after he was deported ahead of the Australian Open because he was unvaccinated. Nadal, 35, went on to win the title.

“I just have to follow the rules,” he said in Dubai. “Whatever tournament that I’m able to play, I’ll be trying to get to that country and play the tournament. Obviously I’m not intending to play the full schedule. That wasn’t also my intention – as you brought up – and my goal prior to this season or the season before. I was trying to aim to play my best at the Grand Slams and some of the 1000 events we have, playing for my country. Those were the biggest motivations that I had in terms of the scheduling.”

He said he’s trying to make the most of the opportunities available to him.

“Right now the situation is obviously different for me,” he said. “I really can’t choose right now. It’s really about where I can go and play.

“Wherever I have an opportunity, I’ll be using probably that opportunity and going to play because this is what I do, it’s what I love to do still.”

“We’ll play this tournament and we’ll see how it goes further down the line.”