Agency :
Novak Djokovic has been added to the Indian Wells draw but the tournament’s organisers are uncertain if he will be permitted to enter the US.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner has refused to obtain a Covid-19 vaccine and previously said he was prepared to miss tournaments as a consequence.
Djokovic, who is unvaccinated, was deported from Australia ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year after 11 days following two visa cancellations, two court challenges and five nights at an immigration detention hotel.
Indian Wells organisers wrote on Twitter on Tuesday: “Novak Djokovic is on the tournament entry list, and therefore is placed into the draw today.
We are currently in communication with his team.
“However, it has not been determined if he will participate in the event by getting CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) approval to enter the country.”
The CDC website as of March 3 indicated that non-US citizens who are not immigrants must show proof of vaccination against Covid-19 in order to travel by air to the US.
The Serb’s hopes of playing at the French Open, however, were given a major boost last week with the news France is suspending its vaccination pass this month.
If he is able to play at Indian Wells, Djokovic will receive a first-round bye and then face either David Goffin or Jordan Thompson in the second round.
Elsewhere in the draw, Britain’s Andy Murray has been given a wildcard entry and he will face a qualifier in the first round, before potentially meeting world No 33 Alexander Bublik in the second round.
Murray recently pledged to donate his prize money for the rest of the year to help children affected by the war in Ukraine.
The new world No 1, Daniil Medvedev will be chasing his first title at Indian Wells and he will open his account in the second round against Australian Alexei Popyrin or a qualifier.
