Djokovic withdraws from ATP Cup, deepening Australian Open doubts

Thursday, 30 December 2021 01:11 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SYDNEY (AFP): Novak Djokovic has pulled out of this week's ATP Cup in Sydney, organisers said on Wednesday, heightening doubts over whether he will defend his Australian Open title.

There has been intense speculation as to whether he will travel to Australia, having refused to confirm if he has been inoculated against the coronavirus.

“World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2022 ATP Cup,” organisers said in a statement ahead of Saturday's start to the team tournament.

“Team Serbia will now be led by world No. 33 Dusan Lajovic.”

Djokovic, the nine-time Australian Open champion, could win a record 21st Grand Slam title if he plays at Melbourne Park next month, but to enter Australia he and members of his entourage must be vaccinated.

He has previously expressed his opposition to the vaccine and his father Srdjan said in late November that Djokovic would probably not play the first Grand Slam of the year, accusing the organisers of “blackmail”.

Djokovic has been named in the entry list for the Australian Open, which starts on 17 January, but he could yet withdraw. He was also originally on the entry list for the ATP Cup.

Tennis Australia has organised charter flights to bring international stars into Melbourne and Sydney.

Defending women's Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka was among those to touch down on Tuesday, but Djokovic was not on board. Players can also opt to fly commercial.

The ATP Cup has been hit by several withdrawals – either because of COVID or injury - and as a result, France will replace Austria in Group B after Dominic Thiem and Dennis Novak pulled out, organisers said on Wednesday.