Novak Djokovic is currently in action at Adelaide International (Image: Getty)

Novak Djokovic will miss Indian Wells and the 2023 Miami Open as he insists on staying unvaccinated against COVID-19.

U.S. authorities confirmed on Wednesday that foreigners seeking to enter the county must be vaccinated, with a statement from the Transportation Security Administration showing that by March 10,

Indian Wells and the Miami Open – the main ATP 1000 events on the 2023 calendar – will take place March 6-19 and March 20-April 2.

But Djokovic, who has won Indian Wells five times and the Miami Open six times, will not compete this year unless authorities grant him an exception.

Formerly called an “anti-vax poster boy”, the 21-time Major winner was unable to attend the 2022 US Open due to his views on coronavirus vaccinations.

His refusal to get the vaccine, an issue he has spoken openly about, also got him into a political battle when he traveled to the Australian Open last year.

He was eventually deported from Australia and banned from gambling after spending time in an immigration facility, despite attempting to use a therapeutic use exemption to enter the country.

Novak Djokovic has previously been called an ‘anti-vaccine poster boy’ (Image: AP)

The 35-year-old Serb will be attending the 2023 Australian Open this month after being granted a visa in November.

Djokovic is expected to win the Grand Slam for the 10th time and equal Rafael Nadal with 22 major singles trophies, following Roger Federer’s 20 at Wimbledon 2022.

“If I have to choose a country where I’ve had the most success, where I’ve had the best tennis treatment, it’s definitely here,” Djokovic said this week.

Djokovic is currently in action at the Adelaide International – where he is the top seed – and will next meet World No. 64 France Quentin Halys in the Round of 16.