Novak Djokovic will not be able to enter the United States this spring because he does not hold a coronavirus vaccine, and as a result he misses the chance to defend his position at the Indian Wells 1000 Masters, which began this week, and at the Miami Open on March 22. His absence creates an opening for other players to seize the world No. 1 spot or temporarily climb the rankings as the season moves through spring hard courts toward Europe.
The gap left by Djokovic opens the door for Carlos Alcaraz to reclaim the top ranking if he wins the event at Indian Wells. According to the ATP standings published on Monday, Djokovic remains at 7,160 points while Alcaraz, who has been tracking his rival for weeks, sits just behind with 6,420 points. Alcaraz had planned a return in California after a hamstring injury forced him to withdraw from Acapulco in the final. Other notable players, such as Cameron Norrie, also feature prominently in early-season discussions about the title chase in the United States.
World No. 1 Djokovic withdrew from the 2023 BNP Paribas Open, and the field managed to proceed without him that year as well. A notable moment came when Nikoloz Basilashvili joined the event, highlighting the depth of the field. The official channels for the tournament announced the withdrawal dates ahead of the draw, underscoring how schedules shift when top players face visa or health-related barriers.
The Serbian star faced a visa request from USTA and tournament organizers that sought permission for him to participate in the U.S. tour sponsored by the American Tennis Federation. The process reflected ongoing tensions between player eligibility rules and the desire to feature the sport’s biggest names in the United States.
Djokovic has long been regarded as one of the sport’s greatest champions. Statements from the USTA and the U.S. Open expressed hope that his entry request would be approved so that fans could see him on the court again, demonstrating the enduring appeal of his playing style and his impact on the sport’s global audience.
Biden’s stance
In the weeks that followed, senators pressed the administration with a formal appeal to President Joe Biden to allow Djokovic entry. The response did not materialize in the affirmative, and Djokovic remained unable to enter the country through the spring window. As a result, he will not be in the U.S. for events slated through May 12, affecting plans for fans to witness his participation in North American fixtures.
In recent seasons Djokovic has faced a mixed schedule in the United States, with highlights and setbacks across Indian Wells, Miami, and neighboring tournaments. He opened the current season with titles in Adelaide and the Australian Open, adding a 22nd Grand Slam to his career tally and stringing together a long run of wins before a recent setback in the Dubai event against top rivals. Medvedev remains a major competitor in the arena, and the rivalry continues to shape the outcomes of major late-season showdowns.
With the U.S. travel landscape uncertain, Djokovic has pivoted to Europe’s clay-court swing. The immediate plan is to prepare for the Monte Carlo Masters beginning April 9, with Roland Garros on the calendar for late May. The shift signals a broader arc of preparation as players balance peak performance with travel restrictions and visa processes, while fans track how the rankings may evolve in the absence of a reigning world No. 1 at marquee American stops.
Djokovic’s early season form remains solid, having won titles in Adelaide and the Australian Open, where he added a 22nd Grand Slam and a streak of impressive results. The storyline now centers on adapting training and competition plans for the European clay season. A strong run on clay could restore his position near the top of the standings ahead of Roland Garros, with hard-court results in the United States shaping the narrative through spring and into the European swing.