Novak Djokovic has been included on the list for next month’s Indian Wells tournament - which will require vaccination against Covid-19.
Speculation continues to be rife over whether the World No1 has been jabbed following the saga over his exclusion from the Australian Open, and deportation by the Grand Slam’s hosts.
On Wednesday, Djokovic was named on the player list for Indians Wells, a competition he has won five times and begins on March 7.
But a statement released by organisers said: “The BNP Paribas Open will require valid proof of full vaccination to enter the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the tournament.
“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.”
It is officially unknown whether Djokovic is still yet to receive the vaccination, which he claimed to be exempt from when entering Australia in January due to having recently had the virus.
But it has since been suggested that he got the jab to enable him to compete, while also signing up to next week’s Dubai Tennis Championships which will not require vaccination.
Biographer Daniel Muksch is quoted earlier in February as stating that the Serb now wanted the jab. He said: “From what I have heard from those around him, I think he is getting vaccinated.
“Perhaps the Australian final has contributed [to that decision]. It may be that Nadal's 21 Grand Slams is driving him to do so.”
Emma Raducanu will compete at Indian Wells, although Andy Murray will not having pulled out of the French Open.
The competition’s official release trumpeted the inclusion of Rafa Nadal and Ash Barty, before simply adding at the bottom of the men’s segment that Djokovic “is also on the tournament entry list”.
