Google News Novak Djokovic skips ATP Cup and assembles more mystery ahead of Australian Open
by JOVICA ILIC | VIEW 6198
Unlike the previous two years, world no. 1 Novak Djokovic will not lead Serbia at the third edition of the ATP Cup in Sydney in the 2022 season's opening week. Novak decided to spend more time at home in Belgrade and stay on the practice court, reportedly with the Australian Open balls.
The new season starts in a week, and only two things related to a 20-time Major champion have been known at the moment. First of all, Serbia stands no chance of regaining the ATP Cup crown without their leading figure, bringing lower-ranked players who have played miles below their best in 2021.
More importantly, we still know nothing about Novak's vaccination status and if he has asked for some alternate ways to land in Melbourne and compete at the season's first Major.
Novak Djokovic will not compete at the ATP Cup.
The organizers are also silent at the moment, and we should probably know more in the next five or ten days, as this becomes the main topic ahead of the Australian Open, where Novak has won nine titles since 2008.
Novak is not a fan of vaccines or anything that does not come to his body naturally via food and drinks, and we should find out his status soon, as it also should reflect on Indian Wells and Miami that follow in March. Djokovic was a player to beat at Majors in 2021, winning 27 out of 28 matches and falling on the last step while chasing the first calendar Grand Slam since 1969.
The Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon crowns propelled Novak towards 20 Major trophies and alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Novak is the most decorated player at the Australian Open, and he should be the top favorite for another title alongside Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev if he shows up in Melbourne in the upcoming weeks.
Djokovic was a player to beat at the inaugural ATP Cup in January 2020, scoring every singles win and toppling Rafael Nadal in the final to keep Serbia alive before bringing the title in the doubles encounter. This February, Serbia lost the crown to Russia, who proved too strong with Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev in the squad.