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Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts in a training session during previews for the Nitto ATP Finals at The O2 Arena on November 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts in a training session during previews for the Nitto ATP Finals at The O2 Arena on November 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
The Australian Open 2021 is about to begin in a month under some serious restrictions and protocols. Recently, Tennis Australia announced that there will be two different bubbles at the Grand Slam for the players. This move has received a certain amount of criticism from the World No.1 Novak Djokovic.
All the players will have to follow a 14-day quarantine period as per the guidelines of the management. However, there are some things that are different for different players. While the top three male and female players will have a quarantine in Adelaide, other players will do the same in Melbourne only.
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The giant Australian Open logo is seen full of tennis balls ahead of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. January 05, 2019, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Novak Djokovic seemed quite unhappy with his formula of different quarantine for different players. The management said that it had done so because all the top three players, including Serena Williams, would have to attend an exhibition in Adelaide on January 29.
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Novak Djokovic disagrees with the idea of two bubbles
Djokovic, who has always advocated equality for all players, clearly didn’t like the idea. He was definitely hoping that the management would make a common bubble for all the players.
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning set point during his Men’s Singles Semifinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland on day eleven of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 30, 2020, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
The 17-time Grand Slam champion is currently training in Marbella for the upcoming Grand Slam. Before the Australian Open, Djokovic will also represent his side Serbia at the ATP Cup 2021. Thus, it will be interesting to see whether Djokovic will really travel to Adelaide or will prefer to stay in Melbourne.
The first Grand Slam of the year has not even begun, and there are already clashes over the quarantine issues. Although the management hasn’t responded to the criticism of Djokovic yet, they’ll surely like to clear the air as soon as possible.
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On the other hand, Djokovic will land in Melbourne in order to defend his title. The Serbian will surely want to win his 9th Australian Open title which will also ensure that he’ll stay number till March 2021. If he manages to do so, he’ll not only lift his 18th Grand Slam title but will also beat Roger Federer’s record of staying the World No.1 for the most weeks.
