LOS ANGELES – The Serb Novak Djokovic, world no. has been vaccinated against COVID-19.
“With health and safety at the forefront, the tournament will require valid proof of full vaccination to enter the Indian Wells tennis team,” organizers said in a statement Wednesday.
“The instructions for the players are governed by the protocols established by the WTA and the ATP and in accordance with the restrictions established by the United States regarding the vaccination regime for international travelers entering the country,” it said.
Djokovic’s presence on this list essentially complies with ATP rules, which stipulate that the 30 best players in the world are required to play in all four Grand Slams and all Masters 1000 except Monte Carlo.
But in order to run for a sixth title in the California desert from March 7 to 20, Djokovic, who also registered for the Dubai tournament in late February, will indeed have to prove he has been fully vaccinated.
He appeared, unvaccinated, in early January in Melbourne to win the 21st Grand Slam title, which would be the absolute record ahead of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
The expected “version” of Djokovic
He was eventually expelled from Australia, the epilogue of a long history surrounding his vaccination regime, as he failed to convince the justice of this country to accept his appeal against the cancellation of his visa by the government.
Last Thursday, “Nole” had promised to tell his “story version” within “seven to ten days”.
Ultimately, it was Nadal who made history in Melbourne, winning a Homeric final against Daniil Medvedev after he had to stop all racing for more than four months to heal a left leg injury and contract the coronavirus at the end of last year. .
The Spaniard (No. 5) and the Russian (No. 2), both vaccinated, will be present at Indian Wells, as well as the German Alexander Zverev (No. 3) and the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (No. 4) or the British Cameron Norrie defender . champion (No. 13).
In the women’s part, apart from the No. 1 Barty in the world, who was crowned with her first home victory in Australia, will give the Spaniard Paula Badosa (no. 5), winner of Indian Wells last year, the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka. (no. 2) or the Czech Republic Barbora Krejcikova (no. 3).
Notable absentees include Roger Federer, who is breastfeeding, and Serena Williams, one leg. Naomi Osaka, who is plagued by episodes of mental anxiety and who had made her return to the Australian Open, where she spent only two rounds, is not on the list given by the organizers of the WTA 1000.
