Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic Won't Play At Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, CA — Tennis star Novak Djokovic said he won't play at the Indian Wells tennis tournament in southern California due to a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate, and that he was automatically listed as the No. 2 seed in the tournament.

According to the BNP Paripas Open website, Djokovic, ranked the No. 2 player in the world, received a first-round bye in the tournament and was to play the winner between Jordan Thompson and David Goffin. The tournament, considered one of the most prominent tournaments in the world, begins Wednesday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Djokovic isn't scheduled to play until Saturday.

But immigration laws require that non-U.S. citizens who are also not immigrants prove they are fully vaccinated, and produce a negative coronavirus test to fly into the country.

That proved problematic for Djokovic, who told Australian border officials earlier this year he was not vaccinated. He was deported from the country and not allowed to play in the Australian Open. Djokovic recently told BBC he would willingly miss major tournaments such as the French Open and Wimbledon if he was not allowed to play due to his vaccination status.

On Wednesday, Djokovic tweeted: "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."

The tournament previously told CNN in a statement that Djokovic was on the tournament entry list and, therefore, was placed into the draw Tuesday.

“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. We will provide updates in the future as we learn more," tournament organizers said.

Djokovic, 34, of Serbia, was the No. 1 ranked men's player for about two years until February, when he dropped to No. 2 following rival Rafael Nadal's win at the Australian Open. Nadal, 35, is the No. 4 seed at Indian Wells. Daniil Medvedev, 26, will play the tournament as the No. 1 seed, and Alexander Zverev, 24, will play as the No. 3 seed.