Contrasting Reports Lead To Confusion Over Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open 2022 Participation

There has been so much written about Novak Djokovic and his journey to Australia in a quest to capture his 21st Grand Slam title. Yesterday, Tennis Australia made it clear that Djokovic didn’t withdraw from the ATP Cup yet.

However, the Serb’s exit from the team event is confirmed today and this withdrawal lowered his chances of making it to the Australian Open. Several tabloids from Serbia have been constantly reporting the status of Djokovic’s journey over the past few days.

Novak Djokovic reportedly to miss 2022 Australian Open

Informer, the Serbian news daily, recently reported that the 20-time Grand Slam champion will not be taking the flight to Australia as his medical exemption request was rejected by the medical commission as he wasn’t vaccinated against COVID-19.

There is no official confirmation from Djokovic and his team regarding his journey but things aren’t looking bright for his fans in Australia who wish to see him chase history. Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley recently revealed that Djokovic will reach Sydney if he is either vaccinated or if he has a valid medical exemption.

Contrasting the report by Informer, another Serbian news daily Telegraf published that Djokovic was given the ‘green light’ to play the Australian Open. From the various reports emerging from the country, everything lies with Novak and his team to clear the air once and for all as soon as possible.

Dusan Lajovic will lead team Serbia at the ATP Cup following Djokovic’s exit

The tennis summer in the land down under begins with the ATP Cup, which being on the 1st of January. With Novak’s exit, Dusan Lajovic is made the captain of team Serbia. Also, Aslan Karatsev withdrew from Russia alongside Andrey Rublev.

Coming to Djokovic, he enjoyed an incredible season on the ATP tour and went on to win three consecutive majors. He was about to close out on winning the Calendar Slam at the US Open before Daniil Medvedev defeated him in three sets and won his first-ever Grand Slam title.

But, the Serbian star bounced back in style and defeated the Russian to clinch the Paris Masters. During that process, he also became the year-end world no.1 player for a record seventh time, surpassing the legendary American Pete Sampras.

With the form that he is in at the moment, it’s safe to say that Novak Djokovic is a force to reckon at the ATP tour next year wherever he plays.

Also read: The Most Watched Tennis Video in 2021 Does Not Feature Serena Williams, Federer, Nadal or Djokovic