As expected, Novak Djokovic was on the 2022 Australian Open entry list when it was released on Wednesday.
Djokovic’s Covid-19 vaccination status is unconfirmed, and with Tennis Australia requiring the vaccine for participation there has been some uncertainty surrounding the world No. 1’s plans for the first Grand Slam of the upcoming season. Of course, signing in for the tournament doesn’t guarantee a player’s participation. It simply means that a player hasn’t already withdrawn. So if nothing else, the door is at least open for Djokovic to bid for a 10th Aussie Open title next month.
The 34-year-old is also on Serbia’s 2022 ATP Cup roster for the team event that takes place in various cities across Australia earlier in January. Confirmation earlier this week of Djokovic’s ATP Cup appearance only made it more likely that he would assume his spot on the Australian Open entry list.
In similarly unsurprising news, Roger Federer is out along with fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka.
On the women’s side, Serena Williams has already taken herself off the list. The 40-year-old American has not played since Wimbledon this past summer and she remains stuck on a record-tying 23 Grand Slam singles titles. Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, will also start next year on the sidelines. Neither development comes as a shock, and Williams even provided some encouraging news in terms of her indication that she plans to return to the tour at some point.
“While this is never an easy decision to make, I am not where I need to be physically to compete,” the world No. 41 lamented. “Melbourne is one of my favorite cities to visit and I look forward to playing at the AO every year. I will miss seeing the fans, but am excited to return and compete at my highest level.”
Williams’ last major triumph came at Melbourne Park in 2017.
who ya got?
Nadal should be strong after a long spell and will be interesting to see how he approaches and schedules 2022, especially the clay court season. I would lie to see him play 1 masters before each major and that’s it so approx. 8-10 tournaments for the year.
Murray should start to reap the benefits of all that conditioning in 2021 and with a bit of luck should be back inside the top 50 by the end of the year.
Will be interesting of the big 3/4 can regain their mental dominance of the younger players with their experience and class level.
Sorry here it is again.
Nadal should be strong after a long spell, and it will be interesting to see how he approaches and schedules 2022, especially the clay-court season. I would like to see him play 1 Masters before each major, and that’s it, so approx. 8 tournaments for the year.
Murray should start to reap the benefits of all that conditioning in 2021 and, with a bit of luck with the draws, should make it back well inside the top 50.
Will be interesting if the big 3/4 can regain their mental dominance over the younger players with their experience and class level.