Novak Djokovic named in entry list for Indian Wells Open

CALIFORNIA: World No. 1 and five-time Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic along with the 2022 Australian Open champions Spain's Rafael Nadal and Australian Ashleigh Barty are included in the BNP Paribas Open tournament entry list. The event will be held from March 7-20 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California, United States.

However, the organisers emphasised that the vaccinations will be required for the event, but made it clear that players' rules and protocols will be decided by the ATP in accordance with US Government restrictions.

"To facilitate the implementation of the venue's mandatory vaccination policy ahead of the 2022 tournament, the guidelines for the players are governed by the protocols established by their respective governing bodies, the WTA and ATP, as well as any restrictions established by the United States of America in regard to the vaccination status of international travellers entering the country," the organisers said in a statement.

Djokovic failed to participate in the Australian Open 2022 as he was deported by the Australian government last month for not disclosing his Covid-19 vaccination status.

On the men's side, three-time champion Nadal (2007, 2009, 2013) will compete at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the first time since March 2019, as he was unable to participate in the 2021 tournament due to a foot injury. A power-packed lineup of ATP Top-10 players will join Nadal is looking to put together a breakthrough performance in Tennis Paradise.

On the women's side, Barty, the WTA World No. 1, will seek her first title in the desert after sitting out the tournament's 2021 edition in October. IANS

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