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Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov replaces Novak Djokovic in the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, the first of the two Masters events which are being held in the US this season following yesterday’s surprising revelation that the Serbian had been included as the second seed, despite still being unvaccinated and therefore unable to enter the country by the government’s current Covid-19 regulations.
Both Djokovic and the Indian Wells organisers had no doubt hoped that, as restrictions are being eased around the world, that the US would be following other countries lead but that is proving not to be the case and has led the former world No.1 to tweet:
“I knew it would be unlikely I’d be able to travel,” the Serbian, a former five-time champion of the event, wrote.
“The CDC (the US Centre for Disease Control) has confirmed that regulations won’t be changing so I won’t be able to play in the US. Good luck to those playing in these great tournaments.”
As a consequence, there is no change and the rules which have applied for some months now, continue, so proof of full vaccination will be required for everyone including spectators to the tournament venue in the California desert.
Meanwhile Liam Broady, Britain’s No.4 world ranked 124, has progressed through the second round of qualifying by defeating Australia’s Christopher O’Connell 7-6(7) 6-0 to get a step closer to the main draw.