Novak Djokovic Withdraws from 2023 BNP Paribas Open

By Thea Kapteyn ‘23

*Novak Djokovic. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.com*

Recently crowned world No. 1 and one of the “Big Three” Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) champions alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic has decided to withdraw from the Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP) Paribas Open, also known as Indian Wells Masters in Indian Wells, California, on account of his vaccination status.

Djokovic, in the hopes of competing in the 2023 BNP Paribas Open, pushed for special permission to travel to the US, despite being unvaccinated against COVID-19.

Directors of the US Open, one of four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, tweeted that they were "hopeful" his petition to enter the country would be successful.

Djokovic applied for a vaccination waiver in the hopes of gaining permission from the United States government to compete in the ATP Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami. He allegedly decided to pull out only hours before BNP Paribas’ commencement.

The withdrawal suggests that the travel application was denied by the U.S. government, and the decision left fans, tournament directors, and Djokovic’s team frustrated with his inability to compete.

During an interview with BBC, Djokovic stated that he would remain unvaccinated even if that meant passing up the opportunity to become the statistically greatest male tennis player of all time.

When asked why, Djokovic said, "Because the principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else. I'm trying to be in tune with my body as much as I possibly can."

With Djokovic’s unwavering decision, BNP tournament organizers released a statement regarding updates to the draw, "World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. With his withdrawal, Nikoloz Basilashvili moves into the field."

Succeeding his withdrawal from Indian Wells Masters, Djokovic forfeits not only his spot in the BNP Paribas Open draw, but his title as world No. 1.

Carlos Alcaraz, world No. 2, and 19 year old 2022 Grand Slam US Open Champion, reclaimed his ranking of world No. 1 after defeating world No. 4, Daniil Medvedev, in the finals.

Djokovic has been unable to compete in ATP Masters events in the U.S. since 2020, following the initial wave of COVID-19. However, beginning on May 11, 2023, the U.S. will allow unvaccinated international travelers to enter the country, and Djokovic will be able to resume competition in U.S. tournaments.

During the Miami Open (March 19-April 2, 2023), Alcaraz had the opportunity to widen the ATP point gap between himself and Djokovic, which required Alcaraz to defend his title as the 2022 Miami Open Champion.

Instead, he lost to world No. 9 Jannik Sinner in the semifinals. The upset caused Alcaraz to lose his title as world No. 1, trading places with Djokovic at world No. 2.
The consequences of Djokovic’s refusal to vaccinate against COVID-19 will cease to affect his ranking once travel restrictions are lifted, and he is set to compete in the next upcoming ATP Masters tournament in Monte-Carlo during mid-April.