Novak Djokovic withdraws from Miami Open 2023 as special exemption request fails to materialize

Novak Djokovic officially withdrew from the 2023 Miami Open on Friday, thereby missing out on the entire Sunshine Double this year.

The Serb was hoping to get into the United States via a special exemption from the government. His unvaccinated state against COVID-19 prevented him from entering the country directly.

However, Djokovic had to withdraw from the Indian Wells Open just prior to the start of the tournament as no such exemption came forth from the concerned authorities. This is despite the 22-time Grand Slam champions receiving backing from within the tennis fraternity and outside.

His Miami Open participation also experienced a similar fortune, as weeks of waiting from the World No. 1 did not materialize into good news.

The 35-year-old has now been absent in Indian Wells for four straight years and in Miami for five straight years. In 2018, he faced an opening-round exit at the Miami Open, and he has not returned to the Masters 1000 tournament since.

Along with the Serb, Sebastian Korda also pulled out of this year's edition of the Miami Masters. Korda injured his wrist during his quarterfinal match against Karen Khachanov at the Australian Open. In their stead, Daniel Elahi Galan and Denis Kudla have entered the main draw.

Korda and Djokovic have joined the list of high-profile names absent in Miami. This includes Rafael Nadal (recovering from hip injury), Nick Kyrgios (recovering from knee injury), Marin Cilic (recovering from leg injury) and many more.

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Can Novak Djokovic lose World No. 1 spot after Miami Open?

The Serb could lose the World No. 1 spot if Carlos Alcaraz wins the Sunshine Double

Following Novak Djokovic's withdrawal, Carlos Alcaraz has become the provisional top seed at the 2023 Miami Open, where he is also the defending champion. Last year, the teenager won the tournament by beating Casper Ruud in the final.

Alcaraz is currently playing in the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where he has reached the semifinals. He will take on Jannik Sinner next and if he wins, he will lock horns with either Daniil Medvedev or Frances Tiafoe in the summit clash.

To take over from Djokovic as the top-ranked ATP player, however, the Spaniard will have to do a lot more.

Essentially, Alcaraz has to win the Sunshine Double in order to displace the Serb at the top. Even if he falls now in Indian Wells, the 22-time Grand Slam champion will continue his reign as the World No. 1 heading into April, when the clay season begins.