Australian Open – Novak Djokovic to participate in 2022 edition after obtaining medical exemption

End of the suspense. Novak Djokovic will participate well in the 2022 Australian Open (January 17 to 30). In a message published Tuesday morning on his Instagram account illustrated in an airport with his snowshoes, the world number one, who had not indicated whether he was vaccinated against Covid-19 or not, announced that he had benefited medical exemption. Thus, the nine-time winner of the Australian Open (2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2021) will be able to defend his title in Melbourne, as the organization confirmed a few minutes later. in a press release.

I’m ready to live and breathe tennis for the next few weeks of competition“, added Novak Djokovic. However, the mystery remained unsolved in recent days as to his participation in the Australian Open. the 34-year-old skipped the ATP Cup, which takes place from January 1 to 9 in Australia (Sydney), and especially the organization of the first Grand Slam of the season was firm last December : “No medical exemption to vaccination has yet been granted“said Craig Tiley, tournament director at ABC.

Already in training with Australian Open balls

To be clear, no one can play the Australian Open without being vaccinated, unless medical exemption is granted by the country’s authorities.“, added the organization of the Australian Open. Novak Djokovic’s father put the pressure on the Melbourne tournament and sowed doubt as to the presence of the world number one. “He would like to play the tournament with all his heart, he told the Serbian television channel Prva at the end of last year. But with this blackmail and under these conditions, maybe he will not play it. I wouldn’t. Here we are talking about my son, so the conclusion can be deduced. “In the end, she is quite different.

In recent days, Novak Djokovic has been spotted in Marbella training with the new Australian Open balls, suggesting possible participation in the tournament. Beaten in the US Open final by Daniil Medvedev (6-4, 6-4, 6-4) last September, the Serbian will therefore try to win the 21st Grand Slam tournament of his career. To get ahead of other tennis legends, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, whose counter is also at 20 Majors.

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