COVID Vaccination

The 22-time Grand Slam winner, 35, had applied for special permission to enter the US because he is not vaccinated against Covid-19.

BBC reports the US requires international visitors to be vaccinated and proof will be required until at least 10 April.

Djokovic missed last year's US Open because of his vaccination status.

"World number one Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. With his withdrawal, Nikoloz Basilashvili moves into the field," organisers said in a statement.

The Director General of Health Leausa Dr Take Naseri said preliminary figures indicate that 12,228 received their first dose and 7,339 are now fully immunized with their second dose.

Leausa said this means that 93.3 percent of the eligible population have their first dose but only 46.6 percent have been fully vaccinated.

"We'd love to achieve 90 percent herd immunity for the country," according to Chairman of the National Emergency Operations Committee, Agafili Shem Leo.