“Djokovic will once again be the rival to beat in Australia”

Novak Djokovic He “will be the player to beat again”, ruled the director of the Australian Open, Craig Tileyhours before the Serbian tennis player arrived in Australia, less than a year after being deported due to the problem stemming from the fact that the tennis player was not vaccinated against covid.

“We welcome you to Australia,” said the chief executive officer of the first Grand Slam of the year, which will be held in Melbourne from January 16 to 29.

As part of his preparations for the Australian Open, Djokovic, currently ranked fifth in the world at the age of 35, will play in the ATP 250 tournament in Adelaide, starting on Sunday, January 1.

The Serbian has been denied the 2022 edition of the Australian Open after being kicked out of the country due to his vaccination status. Unvaccinated against Covid-19, he tried to return to the territory with an exemption that was ultimately rejected and expelled before the start of the tournament after spending several days in a detention center and filing an appeal in court.

But Australia’s vaccination requirement has been lifted and Djokovic has already obtained his visa after his travel ban was lifted in November.

The former world number 1, winner of five titles in 2022, including Wimbledon, the favorite of the Australian Open, which he has won nine times.

“In the past, I always had the opportunity to start my years in Australia very strong and I want to play here,” Nole, who has a total of 21 Grand Slam titles, said on Friday in Dubai, with a record Rafael Nadal there are 22.

“After what happened last year, I hope that it is well received and that it helps me play my best tennis,” Balkan added about the reception he might have.