There is only a one percent chance that Novak Djokovic will be starting his season at the ATP Cup in Sydney, according to a leading Serbian newspaper.
Blic has quoted an unnamed source from the team of the 20-time Grand Slam champion saying that it is very unlikely that he will be travelling to Australia in time for the event to start. The ATP Cup is a team tournament, which began in 2019 with Djokovic leading Serbia to the title. Countries qualify for the event based on the ranking of their best player.
“It is 99% sure that Novak won’t go to the ATP Cup. He is training here (in Belgrade) but he has decided to give that tournament a miss,” a team member told Blic.
The apparent decision by Djokovic to miss his first event of 2022 fuels speculation over his participation in the Australian Open which he has won a record nine times. Players playing in the Melbourne major are required to be double vaccinated against COVID-19 to play unless they qualify for a medical exemption. Djokovic has refused to disclose his vaccination status publicly because he wants to keep his medical records private.
Last month Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, implied that there was a strong possibility that his son will not be travelling to Australia. Speaking on TV Prva he said that Tennis Australia’s stance on the vaccination amounted to blackmail.
“As far as vaccines and non-vaccines are concerned, it is the personal right of each of us whether we will be vaccinated or not. No one has the right to enter into our intimacy,” news website B92 quoted Srdjan as saying.
“Under these blackmails and conditions, [Djokovic] probably won’t [play]. I wouldn’t do that. And he’s my son, so you decide for yourself.”
Should the world No.1 skip Australia he would miss out on a chance to clinch a record 21st Grand Slam title which will move him past rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Furthermore he could become only the second player in history to have won the Australian Open on 10 occasions after Margaret Court.
Simon Higson is the Executive Vice President of Communications for the ATP. According to their latest figures, 95% of the top 100 players on the men’s Tour have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. For confidentiality reasons, the ATP doesn’t name the players who are not.
Blic understands that Djokovic will make a definitive decision on playing at the Australian Open by the new year. He hasn’t missed the Grand Slam since making his debut back in 2005.
The Australian Open will start on January 17th.
