22-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from this week’s Indian Wells Masters event with the Serb unable to enter the United States.
The 35-year-old World number one had applied for special permission to enter the US because he is not vaccinated against Covid-19.
The US requires international visitors to be vaccinated and proof will be required until at least 10 April.
Djokovic missed last year’s US Open because of his vaccination status.
On Friday the United States Tennis Association and the US Open said they were “hopeful” Djokovic would be allowed to play this month’s Indian Wells and Miami Masters 1,000 events.
Indian Wells – one of the most prestigious tournaments on the tennis calendar outside of the Grand Slams – starts on 6 March.