LOS ANGELES – Novak Djokovic will not play in the Indian Wells tournament, organisers said on Sunday, in an indication that the world No. 1’s application for a Covid-19 vaccine waiver to enter the United States has failed.

The Serb, who is one of the most high-profile athletes unvaccinated against the virus, applied to the United States government in February for special permission to play at ATP 1000 Masters events at Indian Wells and Miami.

“World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. With his withdrawal, Nikoloz Basilashvili moves into the field,” organisers said in a statement late on Sunday.

The US currently bars unvaccinated foreigners from entry into the country, a policy that is expected to be lifted when the government ends its Covid-19 emergency declarations on May 11.

Djokovic has not competed at the back-to-back ATP Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami, two of the biggest tournaments on the ATP calendar, since 2019.

No one from Djokovic’s team was immediately available to comment on the withdrawal.

Last Friday, Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio wrote a letter to US President Joe Biden urging him to grant the waiver request.

Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas, the United States Tennis Association and the US Open were among those also hoping the Serb would be allowed to enter.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion would have been a heavy favourite to win his sixth Indian Wells title when the tournament kicks off in California on Wednesday.

Djokovic, who missed the 2022 Australian Open due to his vaccination status and was not allowed into the country for last August’s US Open, has said he would skip Grand Slams rather than have a Covid-19 shot.

He won his record-tying 22nd Major at the Australian Open in January. REUTERS