World primary Novak Djokovic has been named in Serbia’s staff for January’s ATP Cup occasion in Sydney, stoking hypothesis that he could also be out there to play on the Australian Open regardless of organizers’ vaccine mandates.
The Serb has been totally dominant on the Australian Open in recent times, profitable every of the final three tournaments and 9 total – and one other victory in late January at Melbourne Park would stand him alone as probably the most profitable participant in historical past with 21 Grand Slam wins.
Djokovic’s participation, although, stays unsure after he refused to disclose his vaccination standing amid strict pointers from Tennis Australia requiring all gamers to be totally immunized in opposition to Covid-19 with a purpose to compete.
If Djokovic is to play on the ATP occasion and is unvaccinated, he can be required to endure 14 days of isolation upon his entry into New South Wales, whereas the state authorities can be required to use for a vaccine exemption for the 34-year-old star.
The federal government within the Victoria area of which Melbourne is the capital have repeatedly acknowledged that they won’t be making use of for exemptions for any participant hoping to take part within the first Grand Slam occasion of 2022.
The noncommittal Novak Djokovic seems on the ATP web site’s record of gamers “dedicated” to the ATP Cup in Sydney in January, which would appear to point that he’s going to Australia, and thus that he’s vaccinated or can be quickly. pic.twitter.com/r090uZfqSO
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) December 7, 2021
*Alternately*…
Djokovic might merely be coming into ATP Cup to ensure a spot for Serbia, since a nation qualifies for the competitors solely primarily based on prime participant's rating, and wouldn't qualify with out his signing up.
Serbia might nonetheless compete after a Djokovic withdrawal.
🤷
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) December 7, 2021
Tennis reporter Ben Rothenburg mentioned that Djokovic’s inclusion in Serbia’s five-man staff – alongside Dusan Lajovic, Filip Krajinovic, Nikola Cacic and Matej Sabanov – appears to counsel he might have taken the remedy or intend to turn out to be vaccinated quickly.
Talking in October, Djokovic admitted that he didn’t know whether or not he would try and defend his title for a 3rd successive marketing campaign.
“I can’t reveal my standing, whether or not I’ve been vaccinated or not – it’s a non-public matter and an inappropriate inquiry,” he informed Blic.
“Folks go too far lately in taking the freedom to ask questions and choose an individual. No matter you say – ‘sure, no, perhaps, I’m fascinated with it’ – they may take benefit.”
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Nevertheless, one alternate viewpoint is that Djokovic might have dedicated to take part with a purpose to assist guarantee that Serbia qualify for the occasion earlier than pulling out, as qualification is predicated upon the rating of every nation’s finest participant.
Within the even of a Djokovic withdrawal earlier than the event, Serbia would stay eligible to compete.
Whereas questions stay round Djokovic’s involvement, one man who positively will not be participating is his Grand Slam rival Rafa Nadal, who continues to battle with again and foot accidents.
The 2009 Australian Open winner mentioned that he hopes to play an exhibition occasion in Abu Dhabi as a warm-up for the primary Grand Slam of the yr.
Russia can be led by world quantity two and US Open winner Daniil Medvedev and have landed in Group B, the place they may tackle Italy, Austria and the host nation.
