By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday September 29, 2021
World No.1 Novak Djokovic will not make the trek to the California desert this year.
Five-time champion Novak Djokovic has joined the list of withdrawals from next week’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. The World No.1 has not been in action since falling to Daniil Medvedev in the 2021 US Open final.
“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 message on social media. “I hope to see you next year!”
Also withdrawing in recent days from Indian Wells were Naomi Osaka, Ashleigh Barty and Sofia Kenin. Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open women’s singles champion, has been handed a wild card.