Djokovic withdraws from Indian Wells because of vaccination status

World number one Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Indian Wells Masters this week with the Serb unable to enter the United States.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner, had applied for special permission to enter the US because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19.

The US requires international visitors to be vaccinated and proof will be required until the 10th of next month.

Djokovic missed last year's US Open because of his vaccination status.

Djokovic, who also missed last year's Australian Open and was deported from the country because of his vaccination status, has said he would skip Grand Slams rather than have a COVID-19 vaccination.

He was permitted to travel to Melbourne in January and won a record-extending 10th Australian Open title, tying Rafael Nadal's men's record of 22 Grand Slam wins.

BBC