World number two Novak&nbsp;Djokovic&nbsp;has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the tournament announced on Wednesday, in the latest setback for the player due to his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Serb had been automatically listed in the draw for the tournament but said he knew it was unlikely that he would be able to gain entry into the United States.

"The (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has confirmed that regulations won't be changing so I won't be able to play in the US,"&nbsp;Djokovic&nbsp;said in a tweet.

"Good luck to those playing in these great tournaments," he said, referring also to the Miami Open, which begins later this month.

Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov will move into&nbsp;Djokovic's space in the draw ahead of the start of the first round of the Masters 1000 tournament on Thursday.

Djokovic&nbsp;was unable to compete at the Australian Open after immigration authorities detained him on Jan. 6, prompting a legal rollercoaster ride over the country's COVID-19 entry rules that led to the cancellation of his visa later that month.

Rafa Nadal went on to win the tournament and with it a men's record 21st Grand Slam title, one more than&nbsp;Djokovic&nbsp;and Roger Federer.

Djokovic&nbsp;most recently competed in Dubai in February, where Czech Jiri Vesely upset him in the quarter-finals.

The loss meant he would lose his world number one ranking to Russian Daniil Medvedev, who claimed his maiden major title in Flushing Meadows in September and is the top seed at Indian Wells.

France loosened COVID-19 restrictions this month, with vaccine passports no longer mandatory as of March 14, opening the door for the 34-year-old&nbsp;Djokovic&nbsp;to defend his French Open title starting in May.

World number two Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the tournament announced on Wednesday, in the latest setback for the player due to his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

World number two Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the tournament announced on Wednesday, in the latest setback for the player due to his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The Serb had been automatically listed in the draw for the tournament but said he knew it was unlikely that he would be able to gain entry into the United States. "The (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has confirmed that regulations won't be changing so I won't be able to play in the US," Djokovic said in a tweet. "Good luck to those playing in these great tournaments," he said, referring also to the Miami Open, which begins later this month. Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov will move into Djokovic's space in the draw ahead of the start of the first round of the Masters 1000 tournament on Thursday. Djokovic was unable to compete at the Australian Open after immigration authorities detained him on Jan. 6, prompting a legal rollercoaster ride over the country's COVID-19 entry rules that led to the cancellation of his visa later that month. Rafa Nadal went on to win the tournament and with it a men's record 21st Grand Slam title, one more than Djokovic and Roger Federer. Djokovic most recently competed in Dubai in February, where Czech Jiri Vesely upset him in the quarter-finals. The loss meant he would lose his world number one ranking to Russian Daniil Medvedev, who claimed his maiden major title in Flushing Meadows in September and is the top seed at Indian Wells. France loosened COVID-19 restrictions this month, with vaccine passports no longer mandatory as of March 14, opening the door for the 34-year-old Djokovic to defend his French Open title starting in May.

Novak Djokovic withdraws from Indian Wells as COVID-19 regulations 'won't be changing'

Novak Djokovic defeated the Jaume Munar of Spain 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-4 on Court Suzanne Lenglen to enter the third round of French Open for the consecutive 13th year. Novak has been struggling with his form since he underwent surgery on his elbow after January's Australian Open. Although, he won but he was not looking comfortable on the court.

Twelve-time Grand Slam champion fired 39 winners but 33 unforced errors and was broken three times by Munar, the world 155.

"I am very happy to be here on Suzanne Lenglen and see so many people and see the support," said Djokovic.

"Jaume is a great player, he has lots of quality and good concentration. I congratulate him on a great match today."

Earlier today, Petra Kvitova entered third round after defeating Lara Arruabarrena and world number one Simona Halep romped through the second round of Roland-Garros.

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/DjokerNole?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DjokerNole</a> loves the Lenglen crowd...and getting 7-6(1) 6-4 6-4 win over Jaume Munar.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RG18?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RG18</a> <a href="https://t.co/gt3uHJy2HQ">pic.twitter.com/gt3uHJy2HQ</a>
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) <a href="https://twitter.com/rolandgarros/status/1001815183356915713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Novak Djokovic defeated the Jaume Munar of Spain 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-4 on Court Suzanne Lenglen to enter the third round of French Open

Novak Djokovic defeated the Jaume Munar of Spain 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-4 on Court Suzanne Lenglen to enter the third round of French Open for the consecutive 13th year. Novak has been struggling with his form since he underwent surgery on his elbow after January's Australian Open. Although, he won but he was not looking comfortable on the court. Twelve-time Grand Slam champion fired 39 winners but 33 unforced errors and was broken three times by Munar, the world 155. "I am very happy to be here on Suzanne Lenglen and see so many people and see the support," said Djokovic. "Jaume is a great player, he has lots of quality and good concentration. I congratulate him on a great match today." Earlier today, Petra Kvitova entered third round after defeating Lara Arruabarrena and world number one Simona Halep romped through the second round of Roland-Garros. .@DjokerNole loves the Lenglen crowd...and getting 7-6(1) 6-4 6-4 win over Jaume Munar.#RG18 pic.twitter.com/gt3uHJy2HQ — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2018 ×

French Open: Novak Djokovic defeats Rogerio Silva to enter 3rd round

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Novak Djokovic withdraws from Indian Wells as COVID-19 regulations 'won't be changing'

French Open: Novak Djokovic defeats Rogerio Silva to enter 3rd round