Australia is and remains a matter of the heart for Novak Djokovic. After the bizarre conflict with the Australian government over an entry visa last January with forced quarantine and subsequent deportation, the Serb is allowed to serve Down Under according to the rules this time.
Djokovic already has his visa in his hands. The 35-year-old is still opposed to a Corona vaccination, but it is no longer compulsory for entry. His Australian mission begins on 2 January with the ATP tournament in Adelaide. The Australian schedule is packed ahead of the Grand Slam tournament.
Summer of tennis – let’s gooooooo❗️ pic.twitter.com/FT37pABpaI
– AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) December 1, 2022
From 16 January, the world number five will try to extend his record at the Australian Open from nine to ten tournament wins in singles. Djokovic’s toughest opponent in Melbourne is likely to be Spanish world number one Carlos Alcaraz, closely followed by world number two Rafael Nadal.
Spanish armada sets records
Alcaraz is the youngest pro in ATP history to winter in first place, compatriot Nadal the oldest pro in second.
Alcaraz, 19, is the first teenager and youngest player to finish No. 1 in the 50 editions of the year-end Pepperstone ATP Rankings, while Nadal, 36, is the oldest to finish in the Top 2.@PepperstoneFX | ATPRankings | Partner
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– ATP Tour (@atptour) December 5, 2022
Due to the lack of proof of vaccination, competitor Djokoviv had missed both the Australian Open and the US Open this year, probably indirectly contributing to the Spanish teenager’s steep rise.