Novak Djokovic’s season has been affected by his decision not to get vaccinated against the Coronavirus. The Serbian phenomenon had to give up the Australian Open and the US Open, two tournaments in which he would have been the heavy favorite to win.
For the same reason, the 35-year-old Belgian also missed all the American Masters 1000 (Indian Wells, Miami, Montreal and Cincinnati). In addition to suffering serious image damage, the former world number 1 saw Rafael Nadal slip away in the ranking of all Slams.
After his disappointment at Roland Garros, Nole redeemed himself by triumphing at Wimbledon for the fourth consecutive time (seventh in history). The Serb also won in Rome, Tel Aviv and Astana, securing a spot at the ATP Finals in Turin.
Although there are still several months to go, it is already being questioned whether Novak will be able to play the Australian Open 2023. In a long interview with ‘Sportal’, the 21-time Slam champion revealed that his lawyers are in contact with the Australian authorities and that You should get a response in the next few weeks.
In the Tennis Channel microphones, the well-known journalist Jon Wertheim gave his opinion on the matter. “It is advisable to do everything possible to prevent a repetition of what happened at the beginning of the year. All this mess has benefited no one.
I hope that Novak Djokovic will get an answer in the next few weeks and that we will end this story,» Wertheim said bluntly. «My instinct tells me that his three-year ban will be lifted and it will be to be able to play the Australian Open 2023.
Bagnis reflects on Djokovic
Veteran Argentine tennis player Facundo Bagnis recently expressed his gratitude to former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic. «I am grateful for what Djokovic did. The players have to have a kind of union that is in charge of talking to the ATP.
The federation that Djokovic created is still in force, work is being done because it is new, it is something that is scary and it still does not have much strength. But I saw him super involved in the tournament in Rome, in a two and a half hour match, which was not mandatory and he played the next day.
People don’t get a chance to see that, but I do and I take my hat off,» he said. «Yes, without a doubt. He is putting himself in the shoes of players who have economic limitations and who may be more relegated.
Then he has many mistakes and maybe he is not the most favorite of the public, but I am not a fan, I am part of the circuit and I am very grateful to him”, said Bagnis.
