Novak Djokovic Could Be Banned From Participating In Indian Wells Masters And Miami Open 2023. Here's Why

Notably, the Serbian Tennis superstar wasn't allowed to participate in any tournament in North America in 2022 owing to his unvaccinated status against COVID-19.

Djokovic is currently in Australia.

Source : Photo by Sue McKay/Getty Images

In a fresh update, it is now being learnt that former world number 1 and 21-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic could be banned from participating in Indian Well Masters and Miami Open 2023 in the United States. Notably, the Serbian Tennis superstar wasn't allowed to participate in any tournament in North America in 2022 owing to his unvaccinated status against COVID-19. And now with the US Government having extended the same guidelines, it looks like Djokovic won't be able to visit the US once again.

Initially, the COVID-19 mandate was set to be lifted in January 2023 but with a spike in the coronavirus infections in some parts of the world and a fear of spread globally, the same has been extended until April 10, 2023. This essentially means that the 35-year-old Serb who has 5 Indian Well Masters and 6 Miami Open titles to his credit, might not get an opportunity to add to that list this year. This is because while the Indian Well Masters are slated to happen between March 8-19, the tournament in Miami will be held from March 22-April 2.

Djokovic Is Currently in Australia

Djokovic is currently in Australia. He played his first match Down Under in nearly 2 years when he made a rare double appearance with Canada's Vasek Pospisil at the Adelaide International on Monday. Even though it wasn't a winning start to his time in Australia, he was given a warm welcome by the fans and supporters with several of them chanting "Novak, Novak."

Notably, Djokovic was deported from the country before Australian Open 2022 for not being vaccinated against Coronavirus and faced a three-year ban from re-entering the country. However, that ban was lifted in December and the tennis ace will now aim to clinch his record-extending 10th Australian Open which will commence on January 16 and culminate with the men's singles final on January 29.