The uncertainty over Novak Djokovic’s plans for the start of 2022 continues with one of his fellow Serbian team mates saying he doesn’t know why the world No.1 has withdrawn from the ATP Cup or if he will fly to Australia.
Dusan Lajovic was quizzed by reporters a day after the 20-time Grand Slam champion officially pulled out of the team event which will begin on Saturday in Sydney. There has been mass speculation over Djokovic’s appearance at the Australian Open due to their entry rules. In line with a health mandate implemented by the local government, all participants are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have received a medical exemption. Djokovic has refused to reveal his vaccination status in public.
In his native Serbia there have been conflicting reports about Djokovic in the media. Newspaper Blic claims that organisers arte trying to obtain a medical exemption in order for him to play in Melbourne Park but it is unclear as to what reason they are using. Meanwhile, the Informer newspaper says that a ‘source close to the Djokovic family’ told them that the exemption has been refused. On the other hand, The Telegraf claims he has been given the green light. None of these three reports have been officially verified.
World No.33 Lajovic takes over as the top player in Team Serbia for the ATP Cup following Djokovic’s absence. The 31-year-old says his compatriot had hoped to play on the event and is keeping an upbeat perspective over his country’s chances.
“We knew, I think, a day-and-a-half ago or something like that,” Fox Sports Australia quoted Lajovic as saying on Thursday.
“I think we’re all waiting for that last-minute decision and it’s never the same when you have the No.1 in your team and you don’t have it – it’s a big difference.
“Obviously, when Novak is in the team, the expectations get much higher and everybody’s putting a spotlight on Novak, of course, and trying to push the whole team.
“Right now, maybe we’re on the sideline a little bit and it could be good for us, it could be bad – we’ll see.
“But it’s definitely different and we’ll get to see what happens after the tournament and how it goes.
“He was, I think, hoping the same as we did, that somehow he will be here, but unfortunately he’s not and we’ve got to deal with it.”
Pressed further, Lajovic said he didn’t know the reason as to why Djokovic has opted not to play in the team event but said he is trying to get to the Australian Open which begins in just over two weeks time.
“I don’t know the official reason but maybe the ATP knows,” he said.
“(Djokovic) just said that he’s not coming to the ATP Cup and he’s trying to get to the Australian Open.
“He said, ‘I’m not coming guys to the ATP Cup; we’ll see about the Australian Open’. I mean, he didn’t specify if he’s coming or not but that he’s waiting for a decision.”
Djokovic has won the Australian Open nine times which is a record in men’s tennis. If he doesn’t play in the tournament he misses out on a chance to win his 21st major title which would move him past Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Djokovic has never missed the Australian Open since making his debut back in 2005.
