Taylor Fritz makes point about Novak Djokovic’s Indian Wells absence

The absence of Novak Djokovic won’t devalue the winner at Indian Wells, according to defending champion Taylor Fritz. On Monday, the American went through to the last 16 with a comfortable 6-1 6-2 win over Argentina’s Sebastian Baez, setting up a clash with Marton Fucsovics of Hungary.

But for the second successive season, fans have been denied the chance to see 22-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic in action. The Serbian has been barred from entering the US over the country’s travel policies, which currently forbid unvaccinated people from entering.

Despite seeking the help of influentional Government figures, the 35-year-old failed to get the exemption he craved. He’s also set to miss the Miami Open later this month.

Rafael Nadal, beaten by Fritz in the final last year, is also absent over ongoing injury problems. But the rising star, 25, has argued that in the years to come, no one will remember who didn’t play.

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“I think it’s the same as last year,” he was quoted as saying, via Serbian publication Sportal. “There are no rookies, but at the end of the day, no one will look back in 10, 20 years and put an ‘asterisk’ because these people didn’t play. If you win Indian Wells, you’ve won Indian Wells.”

However, Fritz has previously argued that Djokovic should have been permitted to take part in Indian Wells. Even if it meant making his quest to defend his title more complex.

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“Obviously, from the point of view as a player with the goal of defending my title, it makes the draw easier if Novak is not there, but I don’t know,” he said.

“I feel like we’re at a certain point where they should probably let him into the country, but I don’t make the rules.”

Instead, the biggest threat to his crown appears to be top seed Carlos Alcaraz. He plays Britain’s Jack Draper in the last 16, after he toppled Andy Murray.

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