Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open chances increase after ATP Cup confirmation

12/07/2021

Novak Djokovic 's chances of playing at the first Grand Slam of 2022 have dramatically increased as a result of the confirmation of his participation in January's ATP Cup.

The Serb has put his name down to represent his country at the competition, which takes place in Sydney two weeks before the Australian Open in Melbourne.

The chances of him playing at that major were becoming more and more remote as time went on, with a vaccine mandate in place for anyone who wanted to take part.

Djokovic has regularly declined to speak publicly about his vaccine status, citing medical privacy for that stance.

Government officials on a local and national level in Australia had been pushing for that vaccine mandate, leaving the Serb in the dark over whether he would be able to try for his 10th Australian Open crown.

Djokovic remained coy with reporters when asked again about the situation, saying: "You will be informed. I know what you want. I'm not going to give you an answer tonight. I know what you want to ask me.

"But you will be informed. That's all I can tell you. I cannot give you any date. Obviously Australia is around the corner, so you will know very soon."

Now, the world number one has been named as part of Serbia's five-man team for the ATP Cup, which begins on New Years' Day in Sydney.

The states of New South Wales and Victoria have taken different decisions during the pandemic when it comes to lockdowns and when to open or close their borders.

So even if Djokovic is allowed into NSW without sharing his vaccine status, the same may not necessarily be true when it comes to whether or not he can travel to Melbourne.

But the fact he appears set to head Down Under in January will give his fans hope that he will be able to defend his Australian Open title after all.

That's despite his father Srdjan telling TV Prva in Serbia that he "probably won't" compete at the tournament, and claimed his son was being "blackmailed" into revealing whether or not he has had the jab.

"As far as vaccines and non-vaccines are concerned, it is the personal right of each of us whether we will be vaccinated or not," he said.

"Everyone has the right to decide on their health. Will he publish it? I don't think so. I don't know that decision either.

"And if I did, I wouldn't share it with you. He has the right to decide as he wants."

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