This time, the “Djokovic saga” was short-lived. His withdrawal from the Indian Wells tournament was announced yesterday, around 24 hours following the world No. 2’s name was unexpectedly entered into the main draw at the first Masters 1000 of the season.
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However, in recent weeks, it seemed obvious that Novak Djokovic would be absent from the prestigious tournament, whose first matches of the main table were played on Wednesday.
To enter the United States, the Serb had to present proof that he was doubly vaccinated once morest COVID-19.
What he’s not: Time and time once more in the past, the man with 20 Grand Slam titles has said he doesn’t want to be vaccinated, even recently telling the BBC he’d rather skip tournaments rather than receiving one of the vaccines once morest his will.
In the painting
But on Tuesday, doubts regarding his presence began to arise when his name appeared at the very bottom of the event’s main draw, where the second favorite still stands.
Was Djokovic trying to obtain an exemption, as he had sought to do, in vain, in Australia, to have his chance to grapple on precious points in the classification and the approximately $ 1.5 million awarded to the winner?
The tournament organizers said at the time that they were in contact with the “Djoker” team, but that he was “unsure whether he might take part in the event.” [devait] obtain CDC approval [Centre de prévention et de lutte contre les maladies] in order to enter the country”.
The end of the suspense
Contrary to what happened in January, on the sidelines of the Australian Open, the suspense did not last this time. At the end of the followingnoon on Wednesday, the tournament announced the withdrawal of the former world number 1.
The Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov took his place at the bottom of the table and a lucky loser – a player who lost in the last qualifying round – will get his place.
On his social media, Djokovic explained that he had been “automatically registered” for the tournament, but that he knew it was “unlikely” that he would be “able to travel” to California.
He mentioned that he wanted to wait before announcing his package, however, given the fact that “international rules concerning COVID are often amended”.
But, “the CDC has confirmed that the rules are not going to change, so I will not be able to play in the United States,” he continued, wishing “good luck” to all the players who will be in. action.
The Serb has announced that he will also be absent from the Masters 1000 in Miami, another major tournament which begins on March 23.
By virtue of his last-minute forfeit, the bottom portion of the table will be unbalanced. Andrey Rublev, who will play under a neutral banner, will be the highest ranked player, he who is seeded seventh.
The Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime, ninth seed, might also have faced Djokovic if they had both reached the four aces.
A single tournament
Banned from entering several countries due to his vaccination status, the most prominent tennis player of recent years has only played one tournament this season, in Dubai at the end of February.
Perhaps lacking in matches, Djokovic was shown the exit door in the quarter-finals by the surprising Czech Jiri Vesely, 123e global. He subsequently lost his title of King of the Tour to Russian Daniil Medvedev.
His absence from the Australian tournament cost him many points in the standings, as he was the defending champion. It also cost her part of her reputation: Djokovic showed up in Melbourne believing he might play because he contracted COVID-19 in December.
He was first placed in detention, then he was released by the courts and was able to train on the site of the Australian Open. But the country’s government overturned that decision, following which the Serb was deported on the eve of the tournament, at the end of what will have been a veritable saga stretching over more than a week.
Back in Monte Carlo
Shortly before his return to the United Arab Emirates, Djokovic said in an interview with the BBC that he “hoped that some countries would change their rule regarding vaccination” because he wanted to “play for a long time”.
He added: “According to my principles, the decisions I make regarding my body are more important than any title. I try to be in symbiosis with my body as much as possible.
This clear-cut opinion will have cost them its partnership with the Peugeot car brand. Whoever links him to the equipment manufacturer Lacoste might be in danger too. The French company has just announced the signing of the American Venus Williams as ambassador.
Absent from the circuit until at least the end of March, Djokovic should play his next tournament on the clay courts of Monte-Carlo, starting April 10. France has relaxed its rules on vaccination, which may also allow the player to defend his title at Roland-Garros in May.
Falling to second in the world for the first time in two years, Novak Djokovic might still regain the highest step of the throne by the end of the Indian Wells tournament, despite his withdrawal. A loss to Medvedev in the quarter-finals or earlier would put him back in first place.
