World No. 1 Novak Djokovic officially withdrew from the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday night, one day before the draw was scheduled to start at Indian Wells, Calif.
Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili, 31, will move into the field to replace Djokovic.
Djokovic’s withdrawal stems from his vaccination status against COVID-19. The 22-time Grand Slam winner isn’t vaccinated, but sought special permission from the U.S. government to play in the BNP Paribas Open and the Miami Open, which begins March 22.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., wrote Friday on Twitter that Homeland Security had denied Djokovic’s request for a waiver. Scott, along with fellow Florida senator Marco Rubio, had written a letter to Joe Biden urging the president to let Djokovic play.
“We have been told that (Homeland Security) just denied (Djokovic)’s vaccine waiver request, making him ineligible to compete in the US next week in CA & in the (Miami Open),” Scott said on Twitter.
“(Joe Biden) must fix this NOW, grant the waiver & allow him to compete here in the states.”
?? BREAKING: We have been told that @DHSgov just denied @DjokerNole's vaccine waiver request, making him ineligible to compete in the US next week in CA & in the @MiamiOpen. @JoeBiden must fix this NOW, grant the waiver & allow him to compete here in the states. https://t.co/TSD10yM8u6
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) March 3, 2023
The U.S. doesn’t end its COVID-19 emergency declaration until May 11, which is what currently prevents foreigners traveling via plane to enter the country without being vaccinated.
Djokovic, 35, has not participated in the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open in four years. Play at Indian Wells begins on Wednesday and runs through March 19.
–Field Level Media
