World runner-up Novak Djokovic got to start his season in Dubai after being stopped from the Australian Open in spectacular form because he is unvaccinated against covid-19.
In Indian Wells, vaccination requirements also apply to the players, and therefore it was somewhat unexpected that Djokovic's name appeared in the draw for the tournament in California next week.
But the Serb will not play either there or in the Miami Open the following week.
Refuses to get vaccinated
"I knew, given the American entry rules, that it would be unlikely that I would be able to travel there.
But since international covid rules are constantly being adjusted, I wanted to wait and see if anything would change.
The CDC (American Infection Control Agency) confirmed today that the rules will not change, which means that I will not play in the US ", Djokovic writes on Instagram on Wednesday night.
Indian Wells is considered one of the most prestigious competitions after the four grand slam tournaments.
Djokovic has won the tournament five times, an achievement that only he and the Swiss Roger Federer have achieved.
On the other hand, there will be a Swedish participant in Indian Wells.
Rebecca Peterson will face Frenchwoman Harmony Tan in the first round.
No Swedish man participates in the tournament, as Elias Ymer lost his qualifying match against Russian Daniel Masur at the same time as Mikael Ymer is injured.