Novak Djokovic. Press Association

Novak Djokovic out of Indian Wells, Miami Open

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Mar 9, 2022 6:40 PM ET

World No. 2 Novak Djokovic was famously unable to play in this year's Australian Open and was ultimately deported from that country due to his unwillingness to receive one of the safe and available COVID-19 vaccines. However, he learned last week he may be able to compete in the French Open because France is lifting restrictions related to the coronavirus and its vaccination pass.

As ESPN's D'Arcy Maine explained Tuesday, Djokovic was announced in the draw for the ongoing BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells even though it was unclear if he could enter the United States because of his vaccination status. On Wednesday, the 34-year-old took to social media to announce he won't play at Indian Wells or at the Miami Open set to start later this month.

While I was automatically listed in the @BNPPARIBASOPEN and @MiamiOpen draw I knew it would be unlikely I’d be able to travel. The CDC has confirmed that regulations won’t be changing so I won't be able to play in the US. Good luck to those playing in these great tournaments
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) March 9, 2022

The BNP Paribas Open also confirmed the news:

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open. As the next player in line to be seeded, Grigor Dimitrov will move into Djokovic's space in the draw, and a Lucky Loser from qualifying will move into Dimitrov’s space in the draw once qualifying is complete.#IndianWells
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 9, 2022

According to BBC Sport, Djokovic could return to competitive play at the Monte Carlo Masters in April. His only official on-the-court appearance of the year, to date, came at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where he suffered an upset loss to Jiri Vesely in the quarterfinals last month.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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