Novak Djokovic willing to play in Australian Open 2022

Novak Djokovic is still hopeful of playing
in the Australian Open, the first grand slam of 2022, at Melbourne Park, the Serbian’s teammate Dusan Lajovic said. The Australian Open 2022 is
scheduled to start from 17-22 January.

The world number one men’s singles tennis
player, Djokovic pulled out of the season-opening ATP Cup, which begins on
Saturday in Sydney where he had been due to lead his country. Lajovic is
expected to lead Serbia in the ATP Cup in Djokovic’s absence, but there is no
confirmation over whether or not nine-time champion Djokovic will defend his
title at Melbourne Park next month.

Also Read: Rafael Nadal tests COVID positive after returning from Abu Dhabi to Spain

In November, Djokovic’s father Srđan Đoković
said his son would not participate in the Australian Open due to the Australia
Open organiser’s vaccine rules.

The Melbourne Park organisers said all
players must either be vaccinated against coronavirus or secure a medical
exemption from the Victorian Government, for which the state has set a strict
criterion.

Also Read: We’ll see: Novak Djokovic on his Australian Open participation amid vaccine mandate

Djokovic has repeatedly refused to say
whether or not he is vaccinated but he has previously voiced vaccine scepticism
and has spoken out strongly about his belief that athletes should have the
right to choose.

 “Unfortunately he’s not able to come here but
he was I think hoping, same as we did, that somehow he will be here.
Unfortunately he’s not, and we’ve got to deal with it,” Lajovic said at a press
conference ahead of the ATP Cup.

Also Read: Australian Open chief’s stern warning to Novak Djokovic: No vaccine, no play

Regarding Djokovic’s chances of playing in
Melbourne, Lajovic said, “He just said that he’s not coming to the ATP (Cup)
and trying to get to Australian Open.”

Players
have begun arriving in Melbourne

Players have started arriving in Australia
over the last few days and began their preparations for the 2022 season-opening
grand slam. French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is the latest player
to reveal she is isolating after testing positive for COVID-19 on arrival in
Australia.

Also Read: Australian Open directs all players to vaccinate against COVID to play

Andy Murray, who missed the tournament last
year after an ill-timed bout of the virus, will play in the Australian Open
this time around. He was seen practising at Melbourne Park along with defending
women’s champion Naomi Osaka.