Novak Djokovic confirms Australian Open preparation after tennis star had his ban overturned
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Novak Djokovic confirms Australian Open buildup after controversial tennis star overturns his three-year ban over Covid vaccination status
- Novak Djokovic confirms readiness for Australian Open after being deported
- The Serbian ace will play the Adelaide International before returning to Melbourne.
- The immigration minister overturned a three-year ban on him entering the country
- Djokovic will be seeking his 10th Australian Open title and 22nd Grand Slam victory
Nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic has revealed that he will play the Adelaide International before returning to Melbourne a year after his controversial deportation.
Novak Djokovic will begin his Australian Open assault at the Adelaide International after the 21-time Grand Slam champion was confirmed as part of a quality field to compete from January 1.
Nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic (pictured) has revealed he will play the Adelaide International before returning to Melbourne a year after his controversial deportation.
The Serb, detained and then deported by authorities ahead of the Australian Open earlier this year due to his vaccination status (pictured above), will be allowed to return to the country after he is granted a visa by the Australian government.
The Serb, detained and then deported by authorities ahead of the Australian Open earlier this year due to his vaccination status, will be allowed to return to the country after the Australian government grants him a visa.
“I think that’s the best scenario for the tournament because we want the best players to play at the Australian Open,” Australian tennis legend Todd Woodbridge told 2GB.
“What goes into the Open in terms of buildup, prize money, what it does to our reputation around the world, we want the best to be allowed to come here and be allowed to play.
Djokovic appears in action against Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis at Wimbledon in 2022
“And given the fact that Novak has won it nine times, he now comes in as a heavy favorite after not being allowed to play this year.”
But the world number 5 will not play in the inaugural United Cup after Serbia failed to qualify for the team event, instead starting his year at The Drive in Adelaide.
World No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime, No. 7 Daniil Medvedev, No. 8 Andrey Rublev, No. 15 Jannik Sinner and two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray will also participate.
The combined WTA 500 and ATP 250 tournament will also welcome four of the top 10 women in the world: Ons Jabeur, Aryna Sabalenka, Daria Kasatkina and Veronika Kudermetova.
Djokovic will then go for his 10th Australian Open title and 22nd Grand Slam victory when the action kicks off at Melbourne Park on January 16.
Djokovic will then go for his 10th Australian Open title and 22nd Grand Slam victory when the action kicks off at Melbourne Park on January 16.
But they will have to overcome Carlos Alcaraz, the 19-year-old Spaniard who ends the year as the youngest world number one in history.