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Novak Djokovic added to Indian Wells draw but uncertainty surrounds whether he will be allowed to play

Novak Djokovic has been included in the men's main draw in Indian Wells. (Getty Images: Francois Nel)

Indian Wells tournament organisers have confirmed Novak Djokovic has been placed in the men's main draw, but they are unclear if the Serbian will be permitted to enter the United States.

The uncertainty about whether Djokovic — who is not vaccinated against COVID-19 — will play in Indian Wells comes two months after he was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open.

The Federal Court upheld the government's decision to cancel his visa, leading to Djokovic being deported from Australia.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US have indicated non-American citizens who are not immigrants must show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to travel by air to the country.

The Indian Wells tournament begins this week.

"Novak Djokovic is on the tournament entry list, and therefore is placed into the draw today. We are currently in communication with his team," Indian Wells organisers wrote on Twitter.

The Indian Wells men's draw on Wednesday AEDT showed Djokovic had a first-round bye.

Djokovic most recently competed in Dubai last month, where Czech Jiri Vesely stunned him in the quarterfinals.

The defeat meant he lost his world number one ranking to Russian Daniil Medvedev, who is the top seed in Indian Wells.

France loosened COVID-19 restrictions earlier this month, with vaccine passports no longer mandatory as of March 14, opening the door for Djokovic to mount a title defence at Roland Garros beginning May.

The Indian Wells tournament — often referred to as tennis' "fifth major" — was cancelled in 2020 and moved to October last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reuters/ABC
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