Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the ATP Cup in Sydney, organizers said on Wednesday, raising doubts about his vaccination status and whether he will defend his Australian Open title.
“World No.1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2022 ATP Cup. Team Serbia will now be led by world No.33 Dusan Lajovic,” organizers said in a statement.
Earlier, Tennis Australia has confirmed no medical exemptions have yet been granted for the Australian Open next month. All players must be fully vaccinated to compete in the Grand Slam at Melbourne Park. All the players must be fully vaccinated to compete at the 2022 AO with tournament confirms director Craig Tiley. World No.1 Novak Djokovic has not revealed his vaccination status yet. But according to the reports, he could use the medical exemption as a loophole to allow him to play.
Djokovic has won a record nine Australian Open titles, including the last three. He is in a three-way tie on 20 major titles with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal. His father Srdjan told a Serbian television channel last month that Djokovic would probably pull out of the major, saying Tennis Australia’s stance on mandatory vaccination was tantamount to “blackmail”. Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem are also out of the ATP Cup in a blow for the tournament.
The ATP Cup will begin on Saturday 1 January at both Ken Rosewall Arena and Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Olympic Park.