After Indian Wells withdrawal, will Novak Djokovic play Miami Open and US Open? Everything you need to know about the Serb's America future

Novak Djokovic, unvaccinated against COVID-19, withdrew from the upcoming Indian Wells Open, as he is currently not allowed entry into the United States due to the existing vaccine mandate. While the Serb is expected to share the same fate in the Miami Open up next, his participation in the US Open is under no jeopardy at the moment.

In February, Novak Djokovic and his team submitted an application to the United States authorities, seeking an exemption for him to be allowed into the country to play in the Sunshine Double in March. On March 3, however, the US Department of Homeland Security turned down the appeal, forcing the World No. 1 to officially withdraw from the first Masters 1000 tournament of the year — the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Ever since the COVID-19 vaccines were made, the Serb has remained clear about his choice of not using them. This led to his infamous deportation from Australia a day before last year's Grand Slam, which came alongside a three-year ban. With a change in Australia's central government, the ban was overturned last November. Djokovic didn't just return to Melbourne but won a record-extending 10th title in January.

He also missed four Masters events and the US Open on the North American continent in 2022. The last time he played in the Sunshine Double — Indian Wells and Miami — was in 2019. The tournaments were not held in 2020 due to the global pandemic.

Current rules in the US do not allow foreign travelers to enter the country without showing proof of vaccination. However, earlier this year, the government declared that it was all set to lift the coronavirus emergency declarations on May 11, 2023. Indian Wells, where he has won five times, begins tomorrow, March 8.

In January, former player and Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas had also expressed his wish to see one of the best players compete in one of the most prestigious tournaments -- a wish that did not, unfortunately, come true.

Will Novak Djokovic play Miami Open and US Open?

After Novak Djokovic's exemption request was rejected recently, Florida Senator Rick Scott appealed to President Joe Biden to take the matter into his own hands and allow the Serb to play in March. The 22-time Grand Slam champion is yet to withdraw from the Miami Open, a tournament that he has won as many as six times. The second Masters event will be played from March 22 to April 4.

While his fans will hope for a miracle as far as Miami is concerned, they can rest assured that the 35-year-old will return to Flushing Meadows this August for the 2023 US Open since the restrictions will be lifted on May 11.

In Djokovic's absence, if World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz wins the Sunshine Double, he will replace the Serb as the World No. 1.