Tennis Australia has officially confirmed that Novak Djokovic has pulled out of next week’s ATP Cup with his participation in the first Grand Slam of 2022 remaining uncertain.
In a statement issued, organisers said the world No.1 will be replaced in the tournament by Dusan Lajovic but didn’t provide the reason behind his decision. The development comes less than a week after Serbian newspaper Blic reported that it was 99% likely that the 20-time major winner would not be playing in the team event, according to an unnamed source. Djokovic has not publicly commented on his withdrawal so far, but it is understood that he is still training in his native Serbia.
The development comes amid speculation over whether Djokovic will be playing in the Australian Open which will start in less than three weeks time. In line with a health mandate implemented by the local government, all participants in next month’s tournament are required to be double vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have a medical exemption. Djokovic has refused to publicly reveal his vaccination status which has fuelled speculation over the prospect of him defending his title at Melbourne Park.
On Tuesday Blic published a new article on Djokovic claiming that organisers are trying to obtain a medical exemption for him to play, according to multiple sources they have spoken to. Although they didn’t specify the reason which would make him eligible for such a pass.
However, one source has reported that officials have refused Djokovic’s application which would have let him play unvaccinated. Informer is a daily Serbian tabloid newspaper which is based in Belgrade. They report that the tennis star is ‘explicitly against vaccination‘ based on what they have been told. UbiTennis are unable to verify this claim.
“As things stand now, Novak is not going to Australia. The medical commission rejected him for medical exemption and will not allow him to play unvaccinated. Novak is explicitly against vaccination,” a source close to the Djokovic family is reported to have said to The Informer.
Djokovic has won the Australian Open a record nine times. If he does not play the Australian Open, he misses out on the chance to win a historic 21st Grand Slam title which would move him past Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. He also missed out on a chance to become only the second player in history after Margaret Court to win the Australian Open for a tenth time.
UPDATE: Since the publication of this article The Telegraf in Serbia has claimed that Djokovic has been given the green light to play but UbiTennis can’t verify this.
