Australian Open 2022: Amid the speculation about his participation in the Covid-19’s mandate to the vaccine, Novak Djokovic’s name appeared in the official list of entries for the inaugural season’s Grand Slam. Djokovic has won 9 times of Melbourne Park, will defend his title.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Novak Djokovic has won 9 Australian Open titles, but his participation was uncertain.
- Djokovic refuses to divulge his vaccination status in the Covid-19 directive
- However, Serena Williams’s name was not listed on the list of entries
World No. 1 and reigning champion Novak Djokovic was named on the official list of entries for the Australian Open 2022 day after Novak Djokovic was added to the list of entries for the ATP Cup in Sydney.
But 23-time Grand Slam Champion Serena Williams was omitted.
Novak Djokovic’s participation at The Australian Open was in doubt because the tournament’s organizers had issued a directive that all players participating at the first Grand Slam should be vaccinated.
Djokovic has opted not to divulge his status as a vaccinee after declaring that a player is free to decide what goes into his body.
Notably, his father, Srdjan Djokovic, has slammed his fellow Australian Open organizers, saying the Covid-19 mandate is blackmail. He also said that his son could not participate in the Grand Slam tournament.
Djokovic has been crowned with 9 Melbourne Park titles, including the tournament this year, and holds the record for 20 grand slams for men with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal.
However, Serena Williams, who was the winner of her last seven Australian Open titles in 2017, was plagued by injuries throughout the season and hasn’t been able to play since she was forced to withdraw in the first round of her game at Wimbledon in tears because of the injury to her leg.
Last month, the tournament’s organizer Craig Tiley said that the 40-year-old American who needs another Grand Slam title to match Margaret Court’s record of 24 titles would be playing in Melbourne Park from January 17 to January 30.
