The BNP Paribas Open released a short statement on Twitter regarding the status of Novak Djokovic after the Serb was included in the draw for the event in California.
The world No2 has been included in the draw for the Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells despite not being vaccinated against Covid-19.
The United States public health agency's (CDC) website says that non-US citizens who are not immigrants must show proof of vaccination against the coronavirus to gain entry into the country by air.
A statement issued by the tournament said it was in communication with both Djokovic's team and the CDC as it aims to establish whether the 20-time Grand Slam winner will be allowed to compete.
“Novak Djokovic is on the tournament entry list, and therefore is placed into the draw today,” the tournament’s statement read.
“We are currently in communication with his team; however, it has not been determined if he will participate in the event by getting CDC approval to enter the country #IndianWells.”
In an interview with the BBC last month, Djokovic, who was kicked out of Australia on the eve of the first Major of the year in January, admitted he would be willing to miss further tournaments if it meant not having to receive the coronavirus jab, so strong is his belief in the right to free will.
“Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay. I was never against vaccination, but I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body,” Djokovic said.
“I understand the consequences of my decision. I am unable to travel to most tournaments at the moment.”
If Djokovic does play at Indian Wells, he will face either David Goffin or Jordan Thompson in the second round after receiving a first-round bye by virtue of his status as one of the 16 seeds.
Djokovic made his first appearance of 2022 at the ATP 500 event in Dubai last month, but suffered a shock loss to Jiri Vesely in the quarter-finals.
As a result, he lost his world No1 ranking to Daniil Medvedev, who became the 27th man to reach the summit of men’s tennis since records began in 1973, and the first new number one since Andy Murray in 2016.
