Novak Djokovic’s hopes of claiming a 10th Australian Open title this summer appear slim, with the world No.1’s father declaring the “conditions” are a major hurdle.
The Australian Open isn’t scheduled to start until January 17, but a Victorian state-enforced COVD-19 vaccine mandate has put pressure on Djokovic’s availability, who to date has refused to reveal his vaccination status.
The 34-year-old has stated on multiple occasions that this is a “personal” matter.
According to Srdjan, Djokovic’s father, the conditions to participate in January’s tournament amount to “blackmail” against the Serbian superstar.
“Of course he would want to go [to the Australian Open] with all his heart,” Srdjan told Serbian channel Prda TV.
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“Because he is a sportsman and there are a lot of our people, the (Serbian) diaspora, there who would be delighted to see Novak.
“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.”
The upcoming Australian Open tournament will be the first Grand Slam to enforce a vaccine mandate.
Djokovic, a nine-time Australian Open champion, is just one major trophy away from overtaking rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam titles, with the trio tied on 20.
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While Djokovic’s playing status is a big concern for Australian Open organisers, the same also applies to the new COVID-19 variant Omicron, which is threatening to spoil the event.
Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley said the organisation is working closely with the government on how to handle the situation.
“We knew when we announced the event there would be some more challenges – that’s just the nature of the world we’ve been living in for the past two years,” Tiley told Nine’s Sports Sunday.
“We’re still waiting. I’ve been talking to the government… there’s still a lot of unanswered questions around this [new COVID-19 variant].
“I think in the next 14 days we will have some clarity, but at this point, the plans are going ahead as they are.”
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