Djokovic schedule takes shape with unusual decision for Aus Open prep

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Novak Djokovic has entered the doubles draw at the upcoming Adelaide International in the lead-up to the Australian Open. The world No 5 rarely plays doubles at official ATP events but will be joining up with his Professional Tennis Players Association co-founder Vasek Pospisil in what will be Djokovic’s return to Australia after being deported from the country at the start of 2022.

Djokovic is preparing to return to Australia for the first time since he was kicked out of the country on the eve of this year’s Aussie Open. The world No 5 was barred from re-entering as a result of his deportation but had his ban lifted last month, allowing him to start his 2023 season Down Under as usual.

The 21-time Major champion had already announced his participation in the ATP 250 event in Adelaide as his warm-up for the Australian Open – where he is bidding to win a record 10th title – but he has now added some more matches to his schedule by entering the doubles draw at the South Australia event.

The Serb will be joining forces with experienced doubles player Pospisil, who won the men’s doubles title at Wimbledon back in 2014 and has been ranked as high as No 4 in the world. Djokovic is good friends with the Canadian, as the pair served on the ATP Player Council together before quitting and starting their own association in 2020 – the PTPA.

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Djokovic has not played doubles at an ATP event in more than a year, with his last appearance coming alongside compatriot Filip Krajinovic at the 2021 Paris Masters where they reached the second round. He was set to team up with Jonathan Erlich at the Tel Aviv Open earlier this year in what was set to be the 45-year-old’s last tournament before retiring but Erlich was forced to pull out injured before they got to set foot on the court.

The 35-year-old’s only doubles title on the ATP Tour came alongside Erlich when the pair won the trophy at London’s Queens Club all the way back in 2010, while Pospisil has seven doubles trophies to his name. Djokovic recently visited Pospisil at the Davis Cup Finals, where Canada won the men’s World Cup of tennis for the first time in tournament history.

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The 91-time singles title winner was in the stands for the final as Canada defeated Australia 2-0, with Pospisil’s doubles expertise not needed as Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov got things wrapped up in the singles. After the Serb’s surprise appearance, Pospisil revealed that Djokovic told him he would be coming, with the pair enjoying a strong friendship on the tour.

“I spoke with him. He messaged me that he was coming. Then he messaged me he was running a bit late, he wasn’t going to see me before the match. I was like, Okay, cool,” he said. “Yeah, I ended up not needing to play. It was really cool for him to be there. He came and congratulated all of us afterwards, which is really cool. He’s also obviously someone that knows what it’s like to win Davis Cup. It was cool to see him here.”

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