Novak Djokovic withdraws from ATP Cup, doubts rise over Australian Open participation

Tennis Australia had earlier denied studies of Novak Djokovic withdrawing from the ATP Cup however organisers of the worldwide group occasion confirmed the event a day after it surfaced. It places an additional cloud over Djokovic’s participation within the Australian Open. Djokovic is a defending champion on the Australian Open. (Reuters Photo)HIGHLIGHTSAustralian Open organisers have stipulated that each one contributors have to be vaccinated towards coronavirusDjokovic has maintained an anti-vaccination stance and has refused to disclose his vaccine standingThe Australian Open subsequent 12 months might be performed with out the Big 3World No.1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Serbian group for the ATP Cup in Sydney, organisers mentioned on Wednesday. The growth raises additional doubts on Djokovic’s participation within the 2022 Australian Open to be held in Melbourne.

“It was announced Wednesday that World No.1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the ATP Cup. Serbia remains in the competition and will be led by World No. 33 Dusan Lajovic,” mentioned the ATP Cup in its assertion.Reports had emerged in Serbia earlier of Djokovic withdrawing from the event however Tennis Australia denied them on Tuesday.There has been intense hypothesis over Djokovic’s participation within the occasion and the Australian Open, which begins on Jan. 17, with the 34-year-old, who’s against vaccinations, repeatedly declining to say if he has been inoculated towards COVID-19. Djokovic is the lads’s singles defending champion on the Grand Slam.Australian Open organisers have stipulated that each one contributors have to be vaccinated towards the coronavirus or have a medical exemption granted by an impartial panel of specialists.Djokovic’s withdrawal may imply that the 2022 Australian Open, the primary Grand Slam of the season, might be performed with none of the Big 3. While Roger Federer has confirmed that he might be out for nearly the complete first half of the season with harm, Rafael Nadal is but to decide to collaborating within the occasion after making a current comeback from an extended spell on the sidelines as a consequence of harm.Click right here for IndiaToday.in’s full protection of the coronavirus pandemic.