Novak Djokovic will be absent for the ATP Cup confirms the organization

This is now confirmed by the organization. Novak Djokovic, who refuses to say whether or not he has been vaccinated against Covid-19, will not play the ATP Cup from January 1 to 9 in Sydney. The announcement reinforces the uncertainty over the Serbian’s participation in the Australian Open, a tournament he has won nine times including the last three editions. “World number one Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the ATP Cup 2022. The Serbian squad will now be led by world 33rd Dusan Lajovic“, said the organizers in a statement.

The ATP Cup, a nation-wide event organized by the ATP, marks the start of the new season on the men’s circuit. For his part, Novak Djokovic still leaves doubt about his participation in the Australian Open. If he is crowned again this year, the Serbian would have the possibility of winning his 21st Grand Slam title, breaking the record he currently co-holds with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

But to be allowed to return to Australia and participate in the tournament, the players, their entourage and members of their management must be vaccinated. However, Novak Djokovic refuses to say whether he is or not. His father Srdjan had declared on Serbian television at the end of November that the world number one would not go “probably not“at the Australian Open, denouncing a”blackmail“from the organizers.