Tennis: Djokovic on Indian Wells entry list but expected to miss out again
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Serbia's Djokovic is one of the most high-profile unvaccinated athletes in the world.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LOS ANGELES – Novak Djokovic was named on the entry list for the upcoming Indian Wells tennis tournament on Wednesday, but he is expected to be barred from travelling to the United States to compete due to his ongoing refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
The Serbian world No. 1 is a five-time champion at the ATP 1000 event but has not played a match on the hard courts in the southern California desert since 2019.
The US has in place a vaccine requirement for foreign air travellers that is not expected to be lifted before main-draw action starts on March 9.
US President Joe Biden’s administration last month said it would lift Covid-19 emergency declarations on May 11, nearly three years after the US imposed sweeping pandemic measures to curb the spread of the illness.
Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas recently said that it would be a “disgrace” if Djokovic was not allowed to compete at Indian Wells and other tournaments in the US this year.
The German said the event organisers would do everything to boost Djokovic’s chances of playing.
The Serb, one of the most high-profile unvaccinated athletes in the world, missed the 2022 Australian Open and was deported from the country due to his unvaccinated status.
He regained entry into the tournament in January and won it for the 10th time to claim a record-tying 22nd Grand Slam title and the world No. 1 ranking.
The 35-year-old has previously stated that he would rather miss Grand Slams than have a Covid-19 vaccine.
Even if Djokovic is unable to compete at Indian Wells, there will still be plenty of talent on show.
Spanish great Rafael Nadal, teenage world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz and defending champion Taylor Fritz were among those named on Wednesday’s entry list.
On the women’s side, world No. 1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek, Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and rising Americans Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff will compete for the prestigious title.
So will Australian Open finalist Elena Rybakina, who said she feels confident playing on all surfaces and enjoys adapting to the demands of the game.
The 23-year-old world No. 10, who is most at home on hard surfaces, won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2022 after beating Ons Jabeur in the final of the grass-court Major.
“I feel pretty well on all surfaces, and for me... that’s the beauty of the sport, to adapt all the time,” the Russian-born Kazakh told Eurosport.
“I feel confident on the grass, which I actually never thought I’m going to be that good on,” she said.
“Because as a junior... I said I don’t really like grass, I don’t know how to play on it.
“But in the end, it’s for now my best achievement. My first WTA trophy was on clay, so I think I can play on all surfaces.” REUTERS
