Novak Djokovic’s Bid to Equal Rafael Nadal’s Grand Slam Tally Will Reportedly Be Fulfilled at Australian Open 2023

Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis, advanced in the race of Grand Slam victories on Sunday 10th July. He now is just one Slam away from catching up to the 22 times Grand slam champion Rafael Nadal. Earlier, Nadal broke the three-way tie between him, Djokovic, and Federer by winning the Australian Open and later French Open.

However, in Djokovic’s defense, he wasn’t allowed to play in the tournament this year. Speaking of which, the Serb might get a chance to compete in the hard courts of Australia in the coming season. As there are talks of making some amendments around his ban.

Will Novak Djokovic play Australian Open 2022?

The defending champion received a ban of three years for indulging in a legal battle with the tournament over their strict vaccination rule. Though now things are starting to look brighter for the nine times Australian Open champion. As the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese has decided to take a more lenient view of the Djokovic case than his predecessors.

Albanese is a huge tennis fan and plays the sport several times a week. Therefore, he doesn’t want the Australian Open to be diluted by the 21 times Grand Slam champion’s absence. And to do so, the PM contacted the Tennis Australia, whose director Craig Tiley later confessed, “I think that we do our best.”

“Obviously, it is not my decision whether he will be able to play at the Australian Open, but Novak is always welcome. He knows that a lot of people in Australia love to watch him play.” He added.

Read more: ‘I Don’t Drink Alcohol’- Novak Djokovic Says He Was Forced by His Coach to Down a Beer at the Wimbledon Championships 2022

The former World No.1 since his Wimbledon championship victory is riding high on form. Hence, he might settle the score with Rafael Nadal in 2023’s first Grand Slam. Although while Djokovic will sit out of the last Grand Slam of this year because of the same issue as in the Australian open. The Spaniard might further his score by winning the US Open trophy.

Djokovic loses his ranking

Novak Djokovic, started the clay court season as the World no.1. Then he got pushed to the ranking of No.3 following his quarterfinals exit from the clay major. And now that the Wimbledon championships have ended, he has slipped further to the ranking of ATP No.7.

The ban Wimbledon imposed on the Russian and Belarusian players has costed the Serb his actual spot on the elite list. As for claiming his fourth consecutive title in the grass, the Serb should have received an upward push. But because the Championships had no ranking points to offer, he will have to make do the trophy only.

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