No Novak Djokovic at Australian Open?

Novak Djokovic. Pics/Getty Images

Novak Djokovic has pulled out of this week's ATP Cup in Sydney, organisers said on Wednesday, heightening doubts over whether he will defend his Australian Open title. There has been intense speculation as to whether he will travel to Australia, having refused to confirm if he has been inoculated against the COVID-19.

"World No.1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2022 ATP Cup," organisers said in a statement ahead of Saturday's start to the team tournament.

Lajovic to lead Team Serbia

"Team Serbia will now be led by World No.33 Dusan Lajovic." Djokovic, the nine-time Australian Open champion, could win a record 21st Grand Slam title if he plays at Melbourne Park next month, but to enter Australia he and members of his entourage have to be vaccinated.

Dusan Lajovic

He has previously expressed his opposition to the vaccine and his father Srdjan said in late November that Djokovic would probably not play the first Grand Slam of the year, accusing the organisers of "blackmail." Djokovic has been named in the entry list for the Australian Open, which starts on January 17, but he could yet withdraw. He was also originally on the entry list for the ATP Cup. Tennis Australia has organised charter flights to bring international stars into Melbourne and Sydney.

Defending women's Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka was among those to touch down on Tuesday, but Djokovic was not on board. Players can also opt to fly commercial.

Several withdrawals

The ATP Cup has been hit by several withdrawals - either because of COVID-19 or injury - and as a result France will replace Austria in Group B after Dominic Thiem and Dennis Novak pulled out, organisers said on Wednesday. Team Russia's Andrey Rublev, who has COVID-19, Aslan Karatsev and Evgeny Donskoy have also withdrawn, the ATP Cup said, as has the USA's Austin Krajicek.

COVID-19 looks set to cast a dark shadow over the Australian Open and the raft of tournaments in the country beforehand. Rafael Nadal, who was due to play a warm-up event in Melbourne, was among several players to have contracted the virus at an Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament this month.

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