World No. 1 Novak Djokovic Pulls Out Of Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, CA — Men's World No. 1 tennis great Novak Djokovic has pulled out of next week's BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, it was announced Wednesday.

The 34-year-old Serbian player gave no reason for his withdrawal.

In a tweet Wednesday, he said, "I am sorry I won’t get to see my fans in Indian Wells and play in the desert, my favourite place to go. I hope to see you next year! @BNPPARIBASOPEN"

“We are disappointed that Novak will not be able to join us at the BNP Paribas Open this fall,” Tournament Director Tommy Haas said. “We hope to see him back in Tennis Paradise next March to contend for a record-setting sixth title in the desert."

Djokovic last lifted the Indian Wells championship trophy in 2016.

According to tournament organizers, Djokovic was scheduled to play the desert's 1000 event that runs Oct. 4-17. A Sept. 8 news release announcing player entry lists for the first-ever fall edition of the BNP Paribas Open led with Djokovic's name.

"The BNP Paribas Open ... released its player entry lists today, which are highlighted by the current World No. 1s on both tours as well as a star-studded lineup of top players, past champions, and teenage phenoms looking to make a statement in Tennis Paradise," the statement began.

"On the men’s side, Novak Djokovic is in the midst of one of the most impressive seasons in history, having already claimed the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles," the statement continued.

Djokovic lost in straight sets during the U.S. Open Final in Flushing Meadows, New York, earlier this month to the crafty Russian phenom Daniil Medvedev, 4-6, 4-6, 4-6.

Djokovic has already earned his spot at this year's Nitto ATP Finals, and he is trying to become the first player to finish year-end No. 1 in the FedEx ATP Rankings seven times, according to the ATP.

Women’s No. 1 Ash Barty of Australia is also skipping the BNP Paribas Open this year. Former winners Naomi Osaka of Japan and Switzerland's Roger Federer are taking a pass as well. Forty-year-old Federer is recovering from knee surgery.

Also out due to injury is former No. 1 Rafael Nadal of Spain, who has won the Indian Wells event three times in his long career.

Among other players who have pulled out of the BNP Paribas Open is American Sofia Kenin.

Not on the entry list are Austria's Dominic Thiem, who won the title the last time the tournament was played in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 shutdown.

American Serena Williams is not on the entry list either.

While several veteran players won't be in the desert next week, many young players will. The 2021 U.S. Open Champion and rising WTA Tour star Emma Raducanu, 18, of Great Britain, has been awarded a wild card into the event.

At the U.S. Open, Raducanu defeated 10 higher-ranked opponents without dropping a set to win the championship, catapulting her more than 100 ranking places up to World No. 22. In the New York final, she defeated rising Canadian star Leylah Annie Fernandez, 19, in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.