2023 Indian Wells Masters: Men's entry list released; Nadal, Djokovic, Ruud feature

Djokovic is unlikely to play but is still added to the provisional Entry List because vaccine mandates won't end until May despite calls to do so.

Novak Djokovic in a file photo. (image credits: twitter)
By Nilavro Ghosh | Feb 8, 2023 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

The confirmed entry list for the Indian Wells Masters features Novak Djokovic as the top ATP player (albeit he is currently unlikely to play). He is unlikely to play but is still added to the provisional Entry List because vaccine mandates won’t end until May despite calls to do so. Rafael Nadal is currently listed as questionable due to an injury, so the top contenders for the tournament, which will be held between March 6 and March 19, as part of the Sunshine Double, could be Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz, Holger Rune, and Daniil Medvedev.

Tentative seeds for Indian Wells Masters 2023

PlayersSeed
Novak Djokovic1
Carlos Alcaraz2
Stefanos Tsitsipas3
Casper Ruud4
Andrey Rublev5
Rafael Nadal6
Felix Auger-Aliassime7
Taylor Fritz8
Holger Rune9
Hubert Hurkacz10
Cameron Norrie11
Daniil Medvedev12
Karen Khachanov13
Frances Tiafoe14
Pablo Carreno Busta15
Alexander Zverev16
Jannik Sinner17
Lorenzo Musetti18
Tommy Paul19
Nick Kyrgios20
Marin Cilic21
Matteo Berrettini22
Borna Coric23
Roberto Bautista Agut24
Alex de Minaur25
Sebastian Korda26
Denis Shapovalov27
Diego Schwartzman28
Grigor Dimitrov29
Daniel Evans30
Francisco Cerundolo31
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina32

Why is Djokovic unlikely to play at Indian Wells?

Tennis pro Novak Djokovic has been given the go-ahead to compete in the 2023 Australian Open, but he will probably have to skip at least two events in the United States. According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, foreign air travellers will need to be fully immunised against COVID-19 until April 10. Djokovic would be unable to compete in the BNP Paribas Open, which takes place from March 6–19 in Indian Wells, California, because he is not immunised. Additionally, Djokovic would have to skip the Miami Open, which is scheduled to take place from March 19 to April 2.

Read More – Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal at 22 Grand Slams: How do the two GOATs stack up against one another?

Djokovic was unable to travel to New York for the 2022 U.S. Open because of the country’s vaccination requirements for visitors from other countries. Last year, Djokovic was able to compete in the French Open and Wimbledon. “Look, if it is official, then it is. I mean, what can I do? Nothing, that’s it. You know my position. It is what it is. I’m hoping (to participate), but if I can’t go, I can’t go.” Djokovic told reporters in January.

Djokovic wins 10th Australian Open in 2023

In Melbourne, Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open for a record-breaking tenth time. He overcame Stefanos Tsitsipas’s challenge to win the hard-court Grand Slam by scores of 6-3, 7-6(4), and 7-6(5). The Serbian tied Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles with his victory. Djokovic experienced a surge of emotion in response to the historic victory. He climbed into his player box to celebrate with his team while tears also flowed among the sea of Serbian flags in Melbourne Park’s Garden Square.

“This is one of the most challenging tournaments that I have ever played in my life,” said Djokovic.  “Not playing last year, coming back this year. I want to thank all the people who made me feel welcome. There is a reason why I have played my best tennis on this court, in front of legendary Rod Laver. It is a long journey. All my team and family knows what we have been through in the past four or five weeks and this is probably the biggest victory of my life.”





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