Novak Djokovic ‘is ready to withdraw from the Indian Wells Open with his hopes of obtaining a vaccination exemption to enter the US’… boosting teenager Carlos Alcaraz’s chances of winning the tournament and becoming world No. 1 become
- Serbian Novak Djokovic will withdraw from the Indian Wells Open tournament
- World No. 1’s hopes of an exemption from the Covid-19 vaccination are fading
- If Carlos Alcaraz, 19, wins the competition, he will move to the top of the world rankings
Novak Djokovic is reportedly ready to withdraw from the Indian Wells Open as his hopes of a Covid-19 vaccine exemption dwindle.
The world No. 1’s desire for an exemption for next week’s tournament is fading and Djokovic admits on Thursday he will withdraw before the draw regardless of whether a decision is confirmed or not.
With just five days to go before this season’s inaugural Masters competition, the 35-year-old has yet to receive a response from the US government on his bid.
He said: “Whatever the decision, if I’m not allowed to, of course I will retire before the draw.
“Let’s see what the answer is, then I’ll move on. I’m now concentrating on the tournament here in Dubai, then we’ll see.”
Novak Djokovic (pictured) will withdraw from the Indian Wells Open tournament next week
World No. 1’s hopes of getting a Covid-19 vaccination waiver for the competition are fading
His absence gives teenager Carlos Alcaraz (above) a chance to climb to the top of the world rankings
The US is the only country on the ATP tour that requires players to be vaccinated – although that rule is set to be lifted by President Joe Biden’s office on May 11 – three months ahead of the Grand Slam US Open.
Djokovic missed the flagship US Open and several other competitions in the US last year after the Centers for Disease Control failed to relax its regulations. Indian Wells and Miami organizers have urged the government to let him into the country.
The Serb only withdrew from last year’s Indian Wells roster after the draw, which was controversial as his decision meant the first substitute had to go through qualifying rather than take his place and denied another the opportunity to take the qualifying spot .
But this year he has insisted he retire before the draw rather than wait until just before the first game.
His final decision could come on Saturday after the Dubai Duty Free Championships conclude, with the draw taking place in Indian Wells on Sunday, a day before the event begins.
If Djokovic retires, Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz can rise to the top of the world rankings, but only if he wins the tournament.
The 15-match unbeaten veteran meets 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in Friday’s Dubai semifinals.
Britain star Emma Raducanu, 20, received a wildcard spot at the Miami Open on Thursday and will also perform at Indian Wells after several other players pulled out.
Miami Open boss and ex-player James Blake has urged the US government to let Djokovic in