This year’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells will get underway next week without some of the sport’s most well known figures.
On Wednesday world No.1 Novak Djokovic announced that he will not be playing in the Masters 1000 event which is taking place seven months later than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Djokovic hasn’t played a match since his loss to Daniil Medvedev in the final of the US Open. Leading up to the announcement, Serbian newspaper Kurir reported that the 20-time Grand Slam champion didn’t train during his recent trip to Belgrade but it is unclear as to why.
“I am sorry I won’t get to see my fans in Indian Wells and play in the desert, my favourite place to go,” Djokovic said in a statement. “I hope to see you next year!”
The withdrawal ends Djokovic’s run of 14 consecutive appearances in Indian Wells. He is a five-time champion of the event and was unbeatable between 2014-2016. His overall win-loss record at the event stands at 50-9.
“We are disappointed that Novak will not be able to join us at the BNP Paribas Open this fall,” Tournament Director Tommy Haas commented. “We hope to see him back in Tennis Paradise next March to contend for a record-setting sixth title in the desert.”
Djokovic joins his other Big Three rivals in missing this year’s tournament. Both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have been forced to end their seasons due to injury. Federer is nursing a right knee problem and Nadal is recovering from a foot issue. It is the first time none of the trio will be playing in the main draw at Indian Wells since 2000. The year when Alex Corretja won the title.
It isn’t just the men’s tournament which will be missing some of their top players. Ash Barty, Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams have also pulled out of the women’s event due to various reasons.
The Indian Wells tournament will get underway on Monday. Medvedev and Aryna Sabalenka will be the top seeds.
