Although he was initially in the BNP Paribas Open draw and has publicly declared his desire to play, Novak Djokovic will not participate in it or the Miami Open. Current CDC regulations require non-US citizens to be fully immunized to travel to the United States by plane, and the 20-time grand champion is not vaccinated against COVID-19.

It’s just the latest in a turbulent year: Entering the year ranked No. 1 and looking to win what would have been a record 21st major title at the Australian Open, Djokovic arrived in Australia after receiving a medical exemption, but soon found himself at the center of a global media storm and legal battle. Eventually his visa was revoked by the Australian government and he was deported before the game started.

He has since been supplanted at the top of the rankings by Daniil Medvedev, and Rafael Nadal broke the Grand Slam record in Melbourne. Although it’s unclear when Djokovic will play next as restrictions and policies continue to change around the world, he remains on the sidelines for now.

How did one of the greatest tennis players of all time come to this? Here is a timeline of events leading up to the present day:

March 9, 2022: Djokovic announces that he is absent from the BNP Paribas Open and the Miami Open

Djokovic tweeted that he won’t be playing in Indian Wells or Miami:

While I was automatically listed in the @BNPPARIBASOPEN and @MiamiOpen draw, I knew it was unlikely that I would be able to travel. The CDC has confirmed that the regulations will not change, so I will not be able to play in the United States. Good luck to those who play in these big tournaments 👊

—Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) March 9, 2022

The BNP Paribas Open also released a statement saying, “Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open. will enter Dimitrov’s space in the draw once qualifying is complete.”

February 28, 2022: Djokovic falls to 2nd place in the ATP rankings

Djokovic was replaced by Daniil Medvedev after his quarter-final loss at the Dubai Championships. His last stint at the top spot began on February 3, 2020, and Djokovic’s total of 361 weeks is the most for a man since the tour’s computerized rankings began in 1973.

February 21, 2022: Djokovic wins his first game of the year

Djokovic beat Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-3 to open the Dubai Championships. “I have to be happy with my tennis, especially after not playing for two and a half, three months,” Djokovic said on the court. “Of course there were times when I played well, there were times when I made a few unforced errors in a row in an unusual way. But it’s normal to expect that [in my] first game after a while.”

Three days later, he lost 6-4, 7-6(4) to Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely in the quarter-finals.

February 15, 2022: Djokovic says he will withdraw from future Grand Slams with vaccine mandates

In his first interview after being kicked out of Australia, Djokovic reiterated his stance not to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and said he would refuse to play at any future majors that require him to be vaccinated. “Yes, that’s the price I’m willing to pay,” he told the BBC.

January 16, 2022: Djokovic loses appeal, out of Australian Open

Three Federal Court judges upheld an earlier decision by the immigration minister to revoke the 34-year-old Serb’s visa on grounds of public interest.

January 6, 2022: Djokovic is refused entry to Australia; canceled visa

After being held for around eight hours at the airport upon arrival, the 20-time major winner is denied entry to the country and his visa cancelled. The Australian Border Force claim Djokovic has failed to meet the entry requirements. Health Minister Greg Hunt said the cancellation of the visa followed a review of Djokovic’s medical exemption – which was meant to protect him from the current strict COVID-19 vaccination regulations – by border officials who examined “the integrity and the evidence behind it”. “

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweets: “The rules are the rules, especially when it comes to our borders.”

Mr. Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies were key to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we continue to be vigilant.

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) January 5, 2022

The tennis star is brought to a hotel used to house immigration detainees in Carlton, a northern suburb of Melbourne, where he stays for four nights. Fans gather to protest outside the hotel.

Djokovic’s wife Jelena takes to Twitter to share her thoughts on the situation.

Thank you dear people, all over the world for using your voice to send love to my husband. I take a deep breath to calm myself down and find gratitude (and understanding) right now for all that is happening. 🙏

— Jelena Djokovic (@jelenadjokovic) January 7, 2022

January 4, 2022: Djokovic announces he’s heading Down Under on medical exemption

Djokovic reveals he will be taking part in the Grand Slam opening event of the tennis season after receiving a medical exemption to get a COVID-19 shot. He posts a photo of himself at an airport on Instagram with a caption that reads, in part, “I’m heading down on an exemption clearance.” Tennis Australia follows with a statement confirming that Djokovic is on his way to the country on a medical exemption which has been “granted following a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels of medical experts”.

Neither Djokovic nor Tennis Australia reveal the basis for his exemption. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said a “handful” of byes had been granted out of 26 requests from players or others.

December 29, 2021: Djokovic withdraws from the ATP Cup

A few days before the start of the competition in Sydney, Djokovic withdraws from the Serbian squad for the ATP Cup. No reason is given.

“Novak Djokovic has officially withdrawn from the ATP Cup in Sydney, we do not yet have an update on his plans for the Australian Open,” a Tennis Australia spokeswoman said in a statement sent. by e-mail.

December 22, 2021: Djokovic tests negative

According to court documents, Djokovic tested negative for COVID-19 in Serbia.

December 18, 2021: Djokovic does an interview and a photo shoot for L’Equipe

Knowing that he tested positive, Djokovic does an interview and a photoshoot with French newspaper L’Equipe. He recognizes a few weeks later: “On reflection, it was an error of judgment.”

December 17, 2021: Djokovic attends Belgrade event

The nine-time Australian Open champion attends an event in Belgrade, Serbia, honoring young tennis players. Parents post photos on social media showing Djokovic and young players without masks. Djokovic later said he was asymptomatic, took an antigen test before the event which showed he was negative, and only received a positive PCR result after the event. event.

December 16, 2021: Djokovic tests positive

Djokovic tested positive for COVID-19 in Serbia, although it wasn’t public knowledge until it was revealed by court documents in January. He later says he didn’t know the result until December 17.

December 14, 2021: Djokovic attends a basketball game

The tennis star attends a professional basketball game in Belgrade, Serbia. He is pictured hugging several players from both teams, including some who later tested positive for COVID-19.

June 2020: The Adria Tour is cancelled, Djokovic contracts COVID-19

Djokovic announces that he and his wife, Jelena, tested positive for COVID-19 after playing in a series of exhibition matches he hosted in Serbia and Croatia with no social distancing or masks required amid the pandemic of coronavirus.

The Adria Tour is canceled as Djokovic is the fourth player to test positive for the disease after taking part in the matches held in Belgrade and Zadar, Croatia.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.