After so many silences that have left room for indiscretions and doubts, in the end it is official: Novak Djokovic will not participate in the ATP Cup in Sidney, the team tournament that marks the official opening of the tennis season, starter of the first Slam seasonal, the Australian Open.
It was the organizers who gave the news: "The world number one Novak Djokovic has retired from the 2022 ATP Cup. The Serbian team will now be led by the n.33 in the world, Dusan Lajovic".
A renunciation that also casts heavy shadows on the Serbian's participation in the Australian Open. In Australia the rules are very strict, you have to be vaccinated to be admitted to tournaments and the number 1 in the world has never clarified this aspect even if he has repeatedly criticized the vaccination obligation provided for by some states and tournaments.
There would be negotiations underway with the local federation to find a way, compatible with the strict Australian medical protocols, to admit the Serbian to the tournament without having to declare whether he is vaccinated or not. For this reason, the official announcement is still missing. On the other hand, the Australian Open will already do without Federer, still stopped after the knee operation, and probably Rafael Nadal who contracted Covid at the Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament.
(Unioneonline / L)