Top-ranked Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the upcoming BNP Paribas Open, having lost his bid to enter the United States unvaccinated to play in♏ the Southern California event.
The🌟 tournament announced his withdrawal on Sunday night. Play in the combin♈ed ATP-WTA event begins Wednesday at Indian Wells Tennis Garden and runs through March 19.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said on Twitter that Homeland Security had rejected Djokovicꦆ’s vaccine waiꦰver request, which would have allowed him to play back-to-back at Indian Wells and Miami, which runs March 19-April 2.
The U.S. is e🌱nding its COVID-19 emergency declarati🍸on on May 11, which will allow foreign air travelers to enter the county without being vaccinated.
The 22-time Gr𒊎and Slam champion lost in the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Friday.
With Djokovic out, Nikoloz Basil🥂ashvili moved iꦓnto the Indian Wells draw.
