Djokovic ‘attempting’ to get to Australian Open, say colleagues

Novak Djokovic could in any case play at the Australian Open, a Serbian colleague said Thursday, in spite of the world number one’s latest possible moment choice to pull out of the ATP Cup in Sydney.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion pulled out from the current week’s groups occasion days before its beginning on Saturday, increasing questions about whether he will safeguard his Australian Open title.

Djokovic has would not affirm assuming he has been immunized against Covid-19, with all members at the initial Grand Slam of the year waiting be inoculated or have a clinical exception.

Dusan Lajovic, who will lead Serbia’s ATP Cup drive in Djokovic’s nonappearance, said his colleague needed to be in Sydney.

“Tragically he’s not ready to come here, however, you know, he was I think trusting, same as we did, that in some way he will be here. Tragically he’s not, and we must arrangement with it,” he said.

“I don’t have a clue about the authority reason. Possibly the ATP knows. He recently said that he’s not coming to the ATP and attempting to get to the Australian Open.”

Gone ahead whether Djokovic would be at Melbourne Park, Lajovic said: “I mean, the choice, he said, ‘I’m not coming, folks,’ to the ATP Cup. We’ll see about the Australian Open.

“He didn’t indicate assuming he’s coming or not yet that he’s sitting tight for a choice.”

It isn’t clear what that choice is, yet if he somehow managed to apply for a clinical exception it would be evaluated by a free board of specialists and stay secret.

Notwithstanding, government authorities in Victoria state, which has the Australian Open, have been determined for quite a long time that main immunized players can play the competition from January 17-30.

“They’re the standards. Clinical exceptions are only that – – it’s anything but an escape clause for advantaged tennis players,” the state’s Deputy Premier James Merlino said for this present month.

‘It’s his decision’

World number four Stefanos Tsitsipas, who will open Greece’s ATP Cup against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz on Saturday, said he regarded whatever choice Djokovic made.

“Assuming he believes he’s not prepared to play here for reasons unknown, it’s his decision. I think most about the players regard his decision. He has the opportunity to pick,” he said.

Found out if he felt the standards to play the Australian Open were excessively intense, he answered: “The principles are rules, and the guidelines are set up for a specific reason and reason.

“So assuming a few players choose not to follow them, it’s their decision. I wouldn’t agree it’s correct here.”

Initiated by Djokovic, Serbia won the debut ATP Cup in 2020, beating Rafael Nadal’s Spain. Nadal is another flake-out in Sydney this year subsequent to contracting Covid-19 recently.

Lajovic conceded Serbia’s undertaking will be a lot harder without Djokovic when they open their mission against Norway on Saturday.

“You know, it’s never a similar when you have the main in your group and afterward you don’t have him. It’s a major distinction,” he said.

In Nadal’s nonattendance, Spain are driven by world number 19 Roberto Bautista Agut.

They additionally open their competition on Saturday, against Chile.

Reigning champs Russia, drove by Daniil Medvedev, play France on Sunday.