Novak Djokovic can end six-year Federer drought if he plays Indian Wells as request made

Novak Djokovic could become the first man to win the ‘sunshine double’ since Roger Federer 2017 if he is able to compete at Indian Wells and Miami next and win the two tournaments next month. The world No 1 has applied for a “special permit” to enter the country and compete while unvaccinated travellers are currently banned from the United States

Djokovic is hoping to be allowed to play the ‘sunshine double’ of Masters 1000 tournaments next month, with his brother Djordje telling Serbian media Tanjung that the world No 1 had applied to be allowed into the country to compete. “Novak has to get a special permit, considering that the USA still does not allow entry to unvaccinated people,” he said.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion is in peak form following his run to a historic 10th Australian Open crowd and has won 37 of his last 38 matches, making him a favourite for both Indian Wells and Miami if he can compete. And if Djokovic can play and win both tournaments, it would make him the first man to achieve the ‘sunshine double’ in six years.

Djokovic already holds the record for most sunshine doubles completed with four in total, achieving the feat in 2011 before winning the tournaments in three-successive seasons in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Federer just trails his rival with three sunshine doubles but is the last ATP player to have lifted the two trophies in the same year, completing the set in 2005, 2006 and 2017