It is no coincidence that the boiling Srdjan Djokovic made an appointment in Paris with the fans (or not) of his son Novak, this Sunday on Instagram. Expelled with a bang from Australia, where the first Grand Slam tournament of the year begins on Monday, the world No. 1 should be able to play the second, scheduled from May 22 to June 5 at Roland-Garros.
“Our teams are working in collaboration with the public authorities, who will specify the rules relating to the reception of non-vaccinated foreign athletes for our tournament in due time”, declared Gilles Moretton, president of the French Tennis Federation (FFT) this Sunday.
French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu spoke on January 7 of the establishment of “a health bubble” allowing unvaccinated players (3% of the Top 100 men, according to the ATP) to play Porte d’Auteuil.
“Novak is an immense champion”
It is therefore in the spring in Paris that Djokovic, defending champion, should try to win a 21st Major, and thus overtake Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, with whom he currently shares the record. Unless the Spaniard, the only one of the trio to compete in the Australian Open, wins in Melbourne.
“Novak is a huge champion and we can imagine his disappointment at not being able to defend his title at the Australian Open. Our thoughts are also with the tournament organizers,” said Moretton, apparently anxious not to upset anyone.