Novak Djokovic has pulled out of this week's ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells, California, as well as the Miami Masters later this month.
He's been unable to gain entry into the United States due to his unvaccinated status.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has definitively ruled that he cannot enter the United States while he remains unvaccinated from Covid-19.
In January, Djokovic was spectacularly deported from Australia on the eve of the Australian open - also because he is unvaccinated.
“While I was automatically listed in the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open draw I knew it would be unlikely I’d be able to travel,” said Djokovic in a statement.
“The CDC 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.”
Djokovic is expected to next play in France in April as Covid-19 regulations are due to be relaxed in that country in the coming days.
News of the former world number one's withdrawal from the US events was greeted with disappointment by his legion of fans and #Djokovic was top trending on twitter for several hours after it became evident he would again be sitting on the sidelines.
