Reuters
Tennis – ATP Finals – Pala Alpitour, Turin, Italy – November 19, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his group stage match against Britain’s Cameron Norrie REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
Reuters
Tennis – ATP Finals – Pala Alpitour, Turin, Italy – November 19, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his group stage match against Britain’s Cameron Norrie REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has kept fans hanging regarding his participation in the Australian Open 2022. However, not long ago, he posted a picture on social media, indicating him leaving for the Australian Open.
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Djokovic mentioned that he was traveling with an ‘exemption permission’. For being exempted by Tennis Australia, fans were quick to pounce on him. Perhaps they felt that the World No. 1 player received a special treatment that the other players on the circuit didn’t enjoy.
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Authorities jump to Novak Djokovic’s defense
However, the authorities were quick to release a statement that backed their decision on allowing the nine-time AO champion to travel to Melbourne. They took the assistance of two legal panels that looked into the matter.
The statement read, “Djokovic applied for a medical exemption which was granted following a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels of medical experts. One of those was the independent medical exemption review panel appointed by the Victorian department of health. They assessed all applications to see if they met the Australian technical advisory group on immunization guidelines.”
Australian Open Statement regarding Participation of Novak Djokovic. pic.twitter.com/Vhlewtighp
— Simon Häring (@_shaering) January 4, 2022
Coming to tennis, the Australian Open 2022 will begin on January 17th and will end on January 30th. Finally, there is a confirmation that Djokovic will be part of this year’s edition and will be looking to win his 10th title in Melbourne.
Read more: ‘Kind of Like Serena Williams’: Martina Navratilova Cautions Naomi Osaka Ahead of Return
On the other hand, superstar players like Rafael Nadal (who lost in 2021 quarters) and five-time finalist Andy Murray too will be part of the first Grand Slam tournament. Only Roger Federer will be missing the event amongst the active ATP legends.
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 16: Novak Djokovic of Serbia smashes his racquet in his Men’s Singles Quarterfinals match against Alexander Zverev of Germany during day nine of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 16, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Nonetheless, we wish all players the best of luck and it will be interesting to see how things unfold towards the build-up of the first Grand Slam tournament of the season.
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Novak Djokovic and Other Stars’ Best Off-court Moments