Djokovic officially pulls out of Indian Wells & Miami after hope for change in entry requirements ends

The Serb has played only one event in 2022 after his refusal to get vaccinated and is now expected to be back during the clay court season

Novak Djokovic at the Dubai Dubai Duty Free Tennis Centre , United Arab Emirates Image Credit: Imago / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

March 10, 2022

Indian Wells Masters 1000 | Results | Schedule

World No 2 Novak Djokovic ended speculation about his participation in the ‘Sunshine Double’ by officially withdrawing from the Indian Wells and Miami Masters on Wednesday after his hopes of a change in entry requirements into the United States did not pan out in his favour.

Djokovic, who was seeded second in the draw that was made on Tuesday, posted an update on his social media handles announcing his withdrawal from both the events.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion has played only one tournament in 2022, losing in the quarter-finals of the Dubai ATP 500 event, after his dramatic deportation from Melbourne after he reached Melbourne to defend his Australian Open title. It is expected that Djokovic will now return to the circuit during the clay court season.

No Indian Wells and no Miami for Djokovic. On Instagram, The Serb confirms that he gave him a chance for a good surprise. pic.twitter.com/fgJA9y1QSa
— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) March 9, 2022

Dimitrov moves into Djokovic’s position in the revised Indian Wells draw

With Djokovic pulling out of the draw, Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov becomes the 33rd seed and takes Djokovic’s place in the draw while Portugal’s Joao Sousa enters the main draw as a lucky loser.

Ironically, Sousa is the same player that would have entered the main draw had Djokovic pulled out before the draw was made. The Portuguese player will now meet Spain’s Pedro Martinez in the first round with the winner taking on defending champion Cameron Norrie in round two.