ATP's huge clue about Novak Djokovic's Australian Open involvement
The world governing body of men's tennis has dropped the biggest hint yet that Novak Djokovic will compete in the 2022 Australian Open.
The World No.1 has repeatedly declined to reveal whether he has been vaccinated against Covid-19, with father Srdjan telling Serbia's Prva television last week his son would probably pull out of the new year's first grand slam.
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Djokovic's father claimed that Victoria's vaccination mandate - banning any players from entering Melbourne Park who are not double-vaxxed - is tantamount to "blackmail".
The thought of the 20-time grand slam winner not returning to Melbourne for a crack at a record-extending 10th Australian Open crown has been unthinkable for many tennis fans.
However, big question around Djokovic seems to have been answered after the World No.1 was on Tuesday named in the Serbia team for Sydney's ATP Cup in January.
Djokovic was listed as part of the five-man Serbia team when the draw was made in Sydney for an event that will precede the opening Grand Slam of the year.
"The playing group enjoy representing their countries and to see 18 of the world's top 20 players commit to the event is testament to that," said tournament director Tom Larner.
Curiously though, an ATP statement accompanying the draw noted that top seed Serbia was "headlined by world number Novak Djokovic", who won three of the four grand slams in 2021.
Rafael Nadal was missing, with the Spanish fellow 20-time Grand Slam winner last month suggesting he would play an exhibition in Abu Dhabi this month, then another tournament before arriving in Melbourne for the Australian Open.
The only other absent top 20 player for the 16-team ATP Cup was injured Swiss great Roger Federer.
Djokovic ended his rollercoaster season with a Davis Cup defeat last week and then promised to make a decision on his Australian Open participation "very soon".
Organisers of the Australian Open have insisted only fully-vaccinated players will be allowed into the country, which saw Djokovic's father last month suggest his son "probably won't" play.
"Of course he would want to go with all his heart," he told Serbian television.
"But I really don't know if that will happen. Probably not under these conditions, with this blackmail and when it's done that way."
Novak Djokovic named to lead Team Serbia in Sydney
Djokovic contracted Covid-19 during the ill-fated Adria Tour event he organised in the Balkans in June 2020, but said he did not suffer from any symptoms.
Russia are the defending ATP Cup champions after their team spearheaded by Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev swept past a Matteo Berrettini-led Italy in the final.
Djokovic's Serbia won the inaugural event in 2020, overpowering the Nadal-led Spain.
The 16 teams in next year's event, from January 1-9, are divided into four groups of four, playing across two Sydney venues — the Ken Rosewall Arena and Qudos Bank Arena — with each tie comprising two singles matches and one doubles.
Top seeds Serbia were grouped with Spain, Norway, and Chile, while Russia will face Italy, Austria and home nation Australia.
Germany, led by reigning ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev, headline Group C against Canada, Great Britain and the United States.
Fourth seeded Greece, featuring world number four Stefanos Tsitsipas, are in Group D with Poland, Argentina and Georgia.
with agencies
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