Bombshell new twist in Novak Djokovic vaccination saga

Novak Djokovic's long-running vaccination saga has taken a fresh turn, with the World No.1 entered into a major event in the United States next month, which requires competitors to be fully vaccinated.

Djokovic was deported from Australia on the eve of the Australian Open after having his visa cancelled because of his anti-vaccination stance.

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The Serb thought he'd been granted exemption to compete at Melbourne Park by Tennis Australia (TA), only for the decision to be overturned by the Australian Border Force and subsequently upheld in court.

Djokovic's absence saw Rafael Nadal go on to win the Australian Open for his 21st career major - moving one ahead of Djokovic and Roger Federer to claim the men's all-time record.

It prompted the Serb's biographer Daniel Muksch to claim that the Spaniard's triumph sparked a change in Djokovic's vaccination stance, with the Serb now expected to receive his jabs.

"Maybe the final in Melbourne also contributed to that," Muksch reported told Serbian TV.

"Rafael Nadal's 21 is driving him, no question. What you hear from his environment, I think he's getting vaccinated."

Adding credence to those remarks are the fact Djokovic has entered into next month's 'vaccination-only' Indian Wells ATP event - in perhaps the strongest indication yet that he is vaccinated or set to be imminently.

Djokovic is a five-time champion at Indian Wells, where organisers announced entries Wednesday and said proof of full vaccination will be required for spectator entry into the grounds for the March 7-20 tournament.

Organisers at Indian Wells noted in a statement that vaccinations will be required for the event, but also said player protocols for Djokovic and other men's players will be decided by the ATP in line with US restrictions.

"With health and safety as the tournament's top priority, the BNP Paribas Open will require valid proof of full vaccination to enter the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the tournament," it said.

"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."

Djokovic is due to return to the tour at the Dubai ATP event from February 21.

Dubai doesn't have the same strict conditions for entry as Australia, and Djokovic will be able to compete at the tournament he's won five times previously if he produces a negative PCR test result when he arrives.

Djokovic's return to action later in February is doubtless going to be one of sport's show-stopping events following all the dramas of the past month.

Novak Djokovic joins strong Indian Wells lineup

As well as Djokovic's inclusion on the Indian Wells entry list, three-time winner Nadal and reigning US Open champion and Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev are also set to take part in a strong men's field.

ATP Finals winner Alexander Zverev and 2021 French Open runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas as well as Britain's defending champion Cameron Norrie, are other notable men's entrants.

World No.1 Australian Open champion Ash Barty tops the women's field. The reigning Wimbledon champion did not play at Indian Wells in 2021, when Spain's Paula Badosa won the title she will try to defend.

World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka, 2021 French Open champion and World No.3 Barbora Krejcikova and fourth-ranked Karolina Pliskova are also in the field, as are 2012 and 2016 winner Victoria Azarenka and 2015 champion Simona Halep.

Teen stars Leylah Fernandez of Canada and Emma Raducanu of Britain, the 19-year-olds who met in last year's US Open final won by Raducanu, and 17-year-old American Coco Gauff will also be in the field.

with agencies

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