"Don't know the reason": Dusan Lajovic a bit at a loss after Djokovic's cancellation for the ATP Cup
Novak Djokovic will not take part in the ATP Cup 2022 - that is now certain. Team mate Dusan Lajovic only found out about this at short notice.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Dec 30, 2021, 05:47 pm
"We only noticed a day or a day and a half ago," Lajovic told Australian media . The world number 33. now represents the number 1 of the Serbian team. "We've all been waiting for this last-minute decision. And of course it makes a difference whether you're number 1 on the team or not."
He does not know the official reason for Djokovic's cancellation, says Lajovic, but the ATP may know. Djokovic only said that he would not be coming to the ATP Cup and was trying to be at the Australian Open. "He said, guys, I'm not going to the ATP Cup, we'll see what about the Australian Open."
Is Djokovic playing at the Australian Open?
Djokovic's cancellation is likely to be related to the entry restrictions in Australia. The world number one had always shown cautious about his vaccination status.
Those responsible in the state of Victoria had recently announced that they would only allow players with complete vaccination protection to enter the country - or those with a medical exception declaration.
Serbian media recently reported that Djokovic had been denied such an exemption; then it was said again that this was not the case.
Whether Djokovic - nine-time title holder in Melbourne - can compete in the first Grand Slam tournament of the new year is still in the stars.
Djokovic and the thing with the water
In the past, the 34-year-old has repeatedly made dubious statements about scientific and non-scientific theses. In 2020, he said in an Instagram chat that he believed that toxic water could be transformed into clean water with just mental strength.
The Australian Open will begin with the main draw games on January 16, 2022. In the event of a victory, Djokovic could then win 21 Grand Slam tournaments in the race with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as the sole front runner.