Djokovic confirms his next tournament after Indian Wells and Miami withdrawals

03/11/2022

Novak Djokovic plans to make his first Masters 1000 appearance of the year in Monte Carlo next month.

The Serb missed the opening Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open after he was dramatically deported on the eve of the tournament, and it was this week confirmed he will not be competing at the Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami amid his refusal to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

North American hard-court events make up a large chunk of the ATP calendar, with further events in Toronto and Cincinnati later in the year, before the US Open in New York, but restrictions on unvaccinated travellers mean Djokovic could miss out on those events too unless the circumstances change.

Djokovic was included on the entry list for Indian Wells this week, but the Serb later released a statement confirming he would not be flying to California.

He wrote on Twitter: "While I was automatically listed in the @BNPPARIBASOPEN and @MiamiOpen draw I knew it would be unlikely I’d be able to travel. 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."

A post on Djokovic's website confirmed his planned return in Monte Carlo: "Novak will open his 2022 clay court season in Monte Carlo, where he won the Masters 1000 title twice, in 2013 and 2015."

Djokovic's absence at the Australian Open contributed to him losing his world No1 spot as he lost the 2,000 ranking points he had earned from winning the title in Melbourne 12 months earlier.

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