Serbian player not sure of Djokovic's Australian Open plans

Posted December 29, 2021 6:00 am

The Associated Press

FILE - Serbia's Novak Djokovic after defeating Croatia's Marin Cilic during their Davis Cup tennis semi-final match at Madrid Arena in Madrid, Spain, on Dec. 3, 2021. Top-ranked Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the ATP Cup in Australia ahead of the first Grand Slam of the season. Cup organizers didn't give a reason. The 34-year-old Serbian has declined to comment on his vaccination status in recent months and Australia's strict regulations require all players, officials and fans to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) The Associated Press

SYDNEY (AP) - Serbian tennis player Dusan Lajovic says he's not sure whether Novak Djokovic will play the Australian Open and he and other teammates don't know the reason why Djokovic pulled out of the ATP Cup.

Djokovic would be bidding for a men's-record 21st Grand Slam title and a 10th Australian Open crown at Melbourne Park beginning Jan. 17.

The 34-year-old Djokovic is on the entry list but yet to commit to the Australian Open following the COVID-19 vaccination mandate agreed to by Tennis Australia and the Victorian (state) Department of Health.

Djokovic has repeatedly refused to disclose whether or not he is vaccinated, citing privacy concerns. All spectators, staff and players at the Australian Open must be double-vaccinated, or have a medical exemption.

Lajovic, the late call-up to replace the Djokovic, said he and his team were unsure of the No. 1-ranked player's participation in Melbourne.

'œHe kept in touch with all of us and it was a last-minute decision, the Australian Open is still uncertain, I don't know the information,'ť Lajovic said Thursday. 'œI think that will come in the next couple of days or whenever is the deadline. We don't know right now, but hopefully he'll be there and be able to play the Grand Slam.'ť

Lajovic said Djokovic had not disclosed his reasons for skipping Serbia's defense of the ATP Cup.

'œHe said I'm not coming to the ATP Cup, we'll see about the Australian Open,'ť Lajovic said. 'œHe didn't specify if he's coming or not, (but) that he's waiting for a decision.'ť

Roger Federer has already confirmed he won't play in Melbourne due to continuing recovery from right knee surgery. Rafael Nadal, who along with Federer and Djokovic has 20 Grand Slam singles titles, is recovering from COVID-19 and said he still hopes to play the Australian Open.

The 16-team ATP Cup begins Saturday at two Sydney stadiums.

ATP Cup organizers disclosed Djokovic's withdrawal in a roster update that included France replacing Austria in the event following the withdrawals of Dominic Thiem and Dennis Novak.

Fifth-ranked Andrey Rublev of Russia also pulled out, as did teammates Aslan Karatsev and Evgeny Donskoy.

Serbia plays Norway on Saturday. Also Chile plays Spain, Argentina takes on Georgia and Greece plays Poland.

The other eight teams begin play Sunday: Russia vs. France, Italy vs. Australia, Canada vs. the United States and Germany vs. Britain.

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More AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

FILE - Dominic Thiem of Austria returns the ball to Marcos Giron of the U.S. during their match at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, on May 4, 2021. Former finalist Dominic Thiem has announced that he is withdrawing from the Australian Open and will instead begin his 2022 season in South America. Thiem said he had a 'slight set back' in his return from a wrist injury but is 'now feeling well again.' Thiem was hurt in June while playing in the Mallorca Open and also missed Wimbledon and the U.S. Open this year. The Australian Open begins Jan. 17. Thiem reached the final in Melbourne in 2020, losing to Novak Djokovic. (AP Photo/Paul White, File) The Associated Press

FILE - Dominic Thiem of Austria celebrates after defeating Marcos Giron of the U.S. 6-1, 6-3 during their match at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, on May 4, 2021. Former finalist Dominic Thiem has announced that he is withdrawing from the Australian Open and will instead begin his 2022 season in South America. Thiem said he had a 'slight set back' in his return from a wrist injury but is 'now feeling well again.' Thiem was hurt in June while playing in the Mallorca Open and also missed Wimbledon and the U.S. Open this year. The Australian Open begins Jan. 17. Thiem reached the final in Melbourne in 2020, losing to Novak Djokovic. (AP Photo/Paul White, File) The Associated Press

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