The director of the Australian Open, Craig Tiley, has assured this Sunday that the number one in the world, the Serbian Novak Djokovic, should make it clear “in the next few days” if he will finally defend his title in Melbourne later this month.
All players who wish to play the ‘big’ ocean should be vaccinated against the coronavirus, due to the rules of the host state of Victoria. The vaccination requirement called into question the participation of the nine-time Ocean Open champion, Djokovic, since has repeatedly refused to reveal his status, saying it’s a personal matter.
“We still have some charter flights until the end of this week and then all the players will be here,” Tiley told Australian media. “Regarding the state of Novak, I think we will have a much clearer picture in the next few days, otherwise, it’s getting pretty late to show up and play the Australian Open. There is a lot to play and I think it will develop in the next few days, “he said.
At the end of last month, Djokovic withdrew from the ATP Cup, a team event to be held in Sydney from January 1-9. The Australian Open begins on January 17.
Djokovic tied 20 ‘Grand Slam’ titles with the Swiss Roger Federer and spanish Rafael Nadal. Federer will not be in Melbourne due to injury, while Nadal recently arrived in Melbourne after recovering from COVID-19.
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