Does Djokovic voluntarily give up the Australian Open? – tennis

Novak Djokovic announces the cancellation of the Australian Open. © APA / afp / ADRIAN DENNIS

The last time there was a flood of cancellations at the US Open, now the next Grand Slam is threatened with a similar fate. The tennis world number one Novak Djokovic has not yet decided whether he will travel to the Australian Open in January in view of the expected corona restrictions.

October 19, 2021

Author: cst/apa

The first superstar who could cancel is Novak Djokovic. The 34-year-old said in a conversation with the Serbian newspaper Blic that a cancellation was possible.

Djokovic pointed out that at this year’s edition, numerous professionals had to go into a two-week hotel quarantine after arriving, also because they were classified as contact persons for fellow travelers who tested positive. Djokovic expects a decision on the exact conditions in about two weeks.

Vaccinated or not? Djokovic doesn’t want to say anything about it

The defending champion and nine-time Melbourne champion does not want to say whether he is vaccinated against the coronavirus or not. “This is a private matter,” emphasized the Serb, saying that the question about it was inappropriate. The winner of 20 Grand Slam tournaments had to accept a lot of criticism last summer for the Adriatic Tour he organized. There were pictures of celebrating players and corona infections.

Novak Djokovic has not played a tournament since his defeat in the final of the US Open. © APA / afp / KENA BETANCUR

Djokovic has been on pause since the US Open final was lost five weeks ago, most recently he was absent from the Masters tournament in Indian Wells, California, without giving a reason. He now said that he spent a lot of time with his family after the final in New York and did not train. Due to the defeat, Djokovic had missed out on being the first men’s professional to win all four important tournaments in a calendar year, the Grand Slam, in 52 years.

He wants to return to the Masters tournament in Paris at the beginning of November and then compete in the ATP Finals in Turin and the Davis Cup finals.