Novak Djokovic has been included in the draw for the first Masters Series event of the year in Indian Wells but there are doubts hanging over his participation due to him being unvaccinated against COVID-19.
The Serbian tennis player is in limbo as it remains to be seen whether U.S. health authorities will allow him into California for the event. The jab is required for any non-U.S. citizen wishing to enter the country.
Djokovic is now waiting on a decision from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC.
"Novak Djokovic is on the tournament entry list, and therefore is placed into the draw today," the BNP Paribas Open tweeted on March 8.
"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."
If he is permitted entry into the country, Djokovic will face either David Goffin or Jordan Thompson in the second round this Saturday.
The former world number one has so far declined to get vaccinated against coronavirus. It was a decision that led to him being barred from the Australian Open earlier this year and saw the government there cancel his visa in a global fracas over his vaccine status.
"The principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else," the 34-year-old said in an interview with the BBC last month, adding: "I'm trying to be in tune with my body as much as I possibly can."
Djokovic has urged that he should not be associated with the anti-vax movement, despite his wishes to remain unvaccinated.
"I was never against vaccination," Djokovic said. "I understand that globally, everyone is trying to put a big effort into handling this virus and seeing, hopefully, an end soon to this virus."
The athlete declared that sacrificing competitions this year is "the price that I'm willing to pay" to stand by his principle on the vaccine.
His prospects of competing at the French Open in Paris in May received a boost earlier this month with the news the country is due to suspend its vaccination pass.
The Indian Wells has strict COVID-19 protocols explained on their website.
"In order to enter the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the 2022 BNP Paribas Open will require all attendees to show valid proof of full vaccination against COVID-19," the website reads.
"To keep all patrons on site as safe as possible, no exceptions to the vaccination policy will be allowed."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
