"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!" five-time champion Djokovic said; world No 1 has already secured his spot at year-end ATP Finals in Turin
Thursday 30 September 2021 08:23, UK
World No 1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
The 20-time major winner has not played since he missed out on completing the calendar Grand Slam with defeat to Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final earlier this month.
Djokovic, 34, is a five-time champion of the California-based tournament, which was rearranged from its usual March date due to the coronavirus pandemic and is due to begin next Thursday.
"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!" Djokovic said on Twitter.
Tournament director Tommy Haas added: "We are disappointed that Novak will not be able to join us at the BNP Paribas Open this fall.
"We hope to see him back in Tennis Paradise next March to contend for a record-setting sixth title in the desert."
Djokovic has already secured his spot at November's year-end ATP Finals in Turin, and he is trying to become the first player to finish the season as world No 1 seven times.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have already ended their seasons, while 2019 Indian Wells champion Dominic Thiem is also absent for the rest of the campaign through injury.
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