Djokovic’s name and picture appeared on a list of players in the main draw for the BNP Paribas Open, which starts on Wednesday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Although not one of the sport’s four Grand Slams, the hard-court event is considered one of the biggest tournaments in the world.
Djokovic, the tournament’s second seed, has a bye in the first round, so he is not scheduled to play until Saturday.
Under U.S. immigration law, people who are not citizens and also not immigrants must show proof of full vaccination as well as a negative Covid test to enter the country by air.
Djokovic spent two years as the game’s No. 1 ranked player until February, when he slipped to No. 2.
In his absence, Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open and moved one ahead of his rival as the men’s player with the most Grand Slam wins. Nadal also is listed among the players at Indian Wells, although Roger Federer, who has also won 20 Grand Slam titles, is not.