'We'll have to wait and see' - Novak Djokovic still unsure about Australian Open participation due to vaccine
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Updated 21/11/2021 at 14:05 GMT
"We'll see. We'll have to wait and see," Djokovic said when asked whether he had made up his mind about playing at the 2022 Australian Open and if he has spoken with Tennis Australia regarding their decision to accept only vaccinated players. "I haven't been talking to them to be honest. I was just waiting to hear what the news was going to be. Now that I know, we'll just have to wait and see."
'We'll have to wait and see' - Djokovic still unsure about Australian Open participation
Novak Djokovic has still not made up his mind as to whether he is willing to participate at the Australian Open, given the decision taken by Tennis Australia to accept only vaccinated players.
Despite a late comeback, the world number one came up short on Saturday evening as Alexander Zverev claimed his place in Sunday's showpiece at the ATP Finals in Turin. The German was able to secure a 7-6(7-4) 4-6 6-3 victory and will take on Daniil Medvedev in the final.
Following the defeat, when asked by the media about the likelihood of him playing at Melbourne Park in January given the Covid-19 protocols, he remained unsure about his potential participation.
"I haven't been talking to them [Tennis Australia] to be honest," Djokovic said.
"I was just waiting to hear what the news was going to be. Now that I know, we'll just have to wait and see.
We'll see. We'll have to wait and see.
The nine-time Australian Open winner has so far refused to reveal if he has or has not had a Covid-19 vaccine, with his participation in Melbourne the subject of much interest and speculation.
Djokovic has openly criticised vaccine mandates and it remains to be seen if he will decide to do what is required to ensure his place in the main draw at a Grand Slam he has dominated in recent years.
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Following his defeat to Zverev, the Tokyo Olympic singles gold medallist, the Serb denied being exhausted at the end of what has been a stunning but also gruelling season for the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
"Not at all, not at all. I did not feel tired at all," he said. "I could have gone for another few hours no problem.
"It's just a bad game. 2-1 down in the third set, a very bad game. Four unforced errors. In the conditions like this where you have one of the biggest servers in the game. It's difficult to come back from that. That's all it is."
Zverev said the situation is "not about tennis" and hopes that Djokovic will play at the Australian Open, despite him being a key rival.
"Look, this is a very tough one, because it's very political," Zverev said. "At the end of the day, I don't know his criteria. I don't know them to the point.
We are visiting another country, this is not about tennis. This is about the virus that is going on right? This is not about a tournament or tennis.
"We are visiting a different country. So at the end of the day, if the country is allowing us to enter, we need to follow the rules and follow the guidelines.
"I hope he's able to play, because at the end of the day, I'm No.3 in the world. If he doesn't play, it's easier to win the tournament. That is obvious. But also he's No.1 in the world, so he should be there.
"So I think, hopefully the Australian government will make an exemption or whatever it is, that they can do, for him to be able to participate there."
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'This is not about tennis' - Zverev hopes Djokovic will play at Australian Open
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