One of the best doubles players on the ATP tour in the recent times, Pierre-Hughes Herbert had a stellar season, earning three titles alongside compatriot Nicolas Mahut. The duo won two important titles at Roland Garros and the ATP Finals. They also clinched the Queen’s Club Championships in London.
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Pierre-Hughes Herbert to skip 2022 Australian Open
As everyone expected Pierre-Mahut to continue the same momentum going into the Australian summer next year, Herbert recently announced his decision to skip the entire tour happening down under.
“Personally, I am not vaccinated and the trip to Australia was not viable for me. So I’m doing what I can. But because of my singles ranking, it may be for the good to start with smaller tournaments, here in Europe”, the Frenchman said.
“It is my personal choice not to get vaccinated.”@P2Hugz is out of @AustralianOpen, as an increasing number of countries on tour require vaccines for entry: https://t.co/r7SuZ7Jpcw pic.twitter.com/g0TFwTcaBG
— TENNIS (@Tennis) December 13, 2021
From his statement, Herbert will be focusing on improving his singles ranking by playing a few Challenger tournaments across Europe. Mahut, on the other hand, confirmed his presence at the ‘happy slam’ as he decided to team up with Fabrice Martin.
It looks like it was not a last minute decision from Herbert to skip the Australian Open. Mahut told L’Equipe that his doubles partner revealed the decision during the tournament in Antwerp.
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Herbert’s doubles partner Nicolas Mahut talks about the decision
“He told me his decision at the tournament in Antwerp. He is well aware that this could seriously complicate his (2022) season”, Mahut explained.
With this jolt, there is a ray of uncertainty regarding their partnership going forward on the ATP tour. While Herbert tried to balance out singles and doubles events, Mahut is focused only on doubles tournaments at the moment.
Reuters
Tennis – ATP Finals – Pala Alpitour, Turin, Italy – November 21, 2021 France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut celebrate with the trophy after winning their doubles final match against Rajeev Ram of the U.S. and Britain’s Joe Salisbury REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
The last time Mahut played a singles event this year was at the Acapulco Open in Mexico, where he lost in qualifiers.
Coming to the Australian Open, tennis Australia will start sending chartered flights across countries to pick up players who want to participate in the event obeying the guidelines.
With the deadline approaching, it remains to be seen whether more players like Pierre-Hughes Herbert tend to stick to their convictions and opt out of playing in Australia next year.
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