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Jan-Lennard Struff says not having Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open would be a "brutal shame." Last week, the Australian Open confirmed that only fully vaccinated players will be able to compete at Melbourne Park. Djokovic has refused to reveal his vaccination status and confirm his participation in the Austrian Open.
Djokovic is a record nine-time Australian Open champion and has won the last three editions of the tournament. "From a sporting point of view, it would be a brutal shame if Djokovic doesn't compete in Australia. This is his most successful tournament," Struff told SPOX.
We've been talking to Novak and his team and they clearly understand that to come and play at the Australian Open they need to be fully vaccinated," said Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley. “They know that it is a condition for everyone, not only for the players, but for the fans and all the staff and he had indicated that it is a private decision for him and at the right time he will tell us.
I know that he wants to play, he has clearly indicated it and he knows the conditions that he would have to go through to be eligible to play. Victoria's Prime Minister Daniel Andrews was the driving force behind the ban on unvaccinated players from playing at the Australian Open.
"It was very clear when the prime minister announced several weeks ago that in order to participate in the Australian Open, to enter Victoria, he must be fully vaccinated," Tiley said.
Djokovic is often in need of advice
Novak Djokovic is amongst those players who show a lot of emotion on the court.
Djokovic, who loves to win, often appears visibly cross with himself when things are not going his way in a match. “I can be temperamental and emotional, so I tend to like it when one shows emotion, but on the other hand also knows how to control them and remain composed in the moments that matter," Novak Djokovic said.
"That skill is acquired through time: the more matches on the big stage, the better you handle yourself the next time you step onto the court." Despite his perfection, Djokovic, too, is often in need of advice. When asked about who he turns to when he needs help, the World No.
1 named his family, friends and coaching team. “Of course, from my nearest and dearest – family, friends, and the team – they know me the best and their advice always comes in the opportune moments and is always just what I need to hear," Novak Djokovic told Serbian journalists.
