By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic is undecided on playing the 2022 AO amid reports unvaccinated players will face stricter COVID-19 safety protocol.
Photo credit: Australian Open Facebook/Tennis Australia
The 2022 Australian Open is a historic crossroads.
Reigning AO champion Novak Djokovic isn't sure if he'll make the major step to Melbourne.
More: History-Maker Hurkacz
World No. 1 Djokovic is undecided on playing the 2022 Australian Open over his vaccination beliefs amid reports unvaccinated players will face stricter COVID-19 safety protocol.
In an interview with Serbian publication Blic, Djokovic said he definitely wants to play the 2022 AO, but is waiting to see what safety restrictions will be implemented by the Australian government.
"I'm telling you, I don't know if I'll go [to Melbourne]," Djokovic told Blic. "Of course I want to go, Australia is my most successful Grand Slam, I want to participate, I love this sport, I still have motivation.”
The good news: Djokovic confirmed his 2021 comeback.
The man who swept the first three majors of the season before bowing to Daniil Medvedev in last month's US Open final to see his dream of the calendar Grand Slam dashed is planning to play the Paris Masters, the ATP Finals in Turin set for November 14-21st and the Davis Cup Finals, November 25th-December 5th.
Given all that activity, you'd think Djokovic will be primed to play the 2022 Australian Open set for January 17-30th.
History is on the line in Melbourne as Djokovic will be playing for a men's record 21st Grand Slam championship and record-extending 10th Australian Open crown—that is if he plays Melbourne.
Djokovic declined to divulge if he is vaccinated. The Wimbledon champion and his wife, Jelena, both contracted Coronavirus during the 2020 Adria Tour. Previously, Djokovic has said he hoped vaccination would not be mandatory to play the Australian Open.
“I will not reveal my status whether I have been vaccinated or not,” Djokovic told Blic.
The Serbian superstar suggest media scrutiny over unvaccinated athletes is one reason why he won't reveal his vaccination status.
“It is a private matter and according to our law, whoever asks you, you can in some way charge him for asking you. That is an immoderate question," Djokovic told Blic. "Too many people today allow themselves such freedom to ask things and condemn a person. Whatever you answer: "Yes, I didn't, maybe, I don't know, I'm thinking!" they will abuse it.
“The media has become…I have no word how to describe it. It spreads fear and panic among people and I don’t want to participate in that rift. I feel that everyone is hostile. I don’t want to give them a reason to write some things about me. “Now what I told you, one of your editors can take and make a scandal out of it. I don't want to take part in any storm that is happening right now."
Last February, A commanding Djokovic dissected Medvedev, 7-5, 6-2, 6-2, to capture his record-extending ninth Australian Open championship in phenomenal fashion.
Melbourne has endured one of the most extensive lockdowns of any major city due to the pandemic.
Australian media reports the Australian government is expected to impose stricter safety protocol on unvaccinated players, which could mean a more extensive quarantine period as well.
Now, the nine-time AO champion plays the waiting game to see what the Australian government enacts before making his final call on Melbourne.
“I still don't know if I will play in Melbourne,” Djokovic told Blic. “I am following the situation around Australia and as far as I understand, the final decision of the government of Australia and Tennis Australia will be in two weeks, so it is the first or second week of November.
“I do not believe that the conditions will change much in relation to what we already know. As was the case this year, there will be plenty of some restrictions. What I heard from my manager who is in direct contact with people from the Australian federation is that they are trying to improve conditions for everyone. Both for those who have been vaccinated and for those who have not."