World number two Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the tournament announced on Wednesday, in the latest setback for the player due to his refusal to take the Covid-19 vaccine. Rafa Nadal went on to win the tournament and with it a men's record 21st Grand Slam title, one more than Djokovic and Roger Federer. Djokovic most recently competed in Dubai in February, where Czech Jiri Vesely upset him in the quarterfinals. The loss meant he would lose his world number one ranking to Russian Daniil Medvedev, who claimed his maiden major title in Flushing Meadows in September and is the top seed at Indian Wells. France loosened Covid-19 restrictions this month, with vaccine passports no longer mandatory as of March 14, opening the door for the 34-year-old Djokovic to defend his French Open title starting in May.

Source: The Herald March 10, 2022 11:50 UTC