SYDNEY – World number one Novak Djokovic will not travel to Sydney for the men’s season-opening ATP Cup next week, Serbian daily Blic reported.
Djokovic was named in Serbia’s team for the ATP Cup, although the 34-year-old has yet to commit to the Australian Open following the organisers’ mandate for Covid-19 vaccinations.
Djokovic has declined to disclose whether he is vaccinated, citing privacy.
Serbia are in Group A along with Norway, Chile and Spain at the ATP Cup, which is scheduled for Jan. 1-9 before the Australian Open begins on Jan. 17.
Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said that he is still uncertain whether Djokovic will be playing at the Melbourne Park major.
Tiley has said that all players and staff at the Australian Open would be vaccinated or have a medical exemption granted by an independent panel of experts.
Those requirements have prevented Djokovic from confirming whether he will bid for a men’s record 21st Grand Slam title and a 10th Australian Open crown.
Canadian Milos Raonic has pulled out of next month’s Australian Open as the former world number three continues his recovery from a heel injury, the organisers said.
Raonic suffered a thigh injury in March and returned to the tour after a three-month gap. But his 2021 season was cut short due to another heel issue following his first-round loss at the Atlanta Open in July.
“Milos Raonic has withdrawn from the #AusOpen as he continues his recovery from an Achilles injury,” the organisers of the Grand Slam said on Twitter according to Reuters.
Raonic, who turns 31 on Monday, reached a career-high world ranking of third in 2016 – the year he reached the finals at Wimbledon and made a run to the semi-finals at Melbourne Park.
The Canadian, who has currently slipped to 70th, is the latest to be ruled out of the Australian Open, with Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Jennifer Brady, Karolina Pliskova, Karolina Muchova, Serena Williams and Bianca Andreescu also ruled out with injuries.
Australian Open tournament organisers announced that they have awarded former World No. 1 Andy Murray a main draw wild card. The Scot will compete at the event for the 14th time.
“I’m really excited to be back playing at the Australian Open and grateful to Craig and the team for the opportunity,” Murray said in a statement. “I’ve had some great times in Australia playing in front of the amazing crowds and I can’t wait to step back out on court at Melbourne Park.”
The 34-year-old owns a 48-13 record at the season’s first major, where he has reached the final five times. The Scot last competed at Melbourne Park in 2019, when he lost against Roberto Bautista Agut in a five-set first-round thriller.
Murray, who was a finalist for Comeback Player of the Year in the 2021 ATP Awards, underwent hip surgery following his 2019 Australian Open appearance. The 46-time tour-level titlist is currently No. 134 in the FedEx ATP Rankings
“Andy is renowned for his fighting spirit, passion and love of the game,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said. “I’m delighted to welcome him back to Melbourne in January.”
Discussion about this post