Field Level Media
13 Jan 2022, 22:35 GMT+10
Defending champion and nine-time winner Novak Djokovic is the top seed in the men's draw of the Australian Open, even as there remains doubt as to whether a government official will allow him to play.
Thursday's draw was delayed more than an hour as questions remained over Djokovic's status. He was quarantined when he arrived in Australia last Thursday and released on Monday after a judge reinstated his travel visa. He had been detained after authorities questioned the paperwork his team filled out to receive an exemption from a COVID-19 vaccination.
Immigration minister Alex Hawke is considering whether to revoke the permission. In court last week, the government's lawyers said it remained within Hawke's powers to cancel Djokovic's visa, which The New York Times said would lead to an automatic three-year ban on Djokovic entering the country.
Should Djokovic, the world No. 1 player, be allowed to stay in the country, he will begin his quest to win a record 21st Grand Slam title against fellow Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic.
The Australian Open begins Monday.
Seeded second is world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev of Russia, with Alexander Zverev of Germany, Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece and Russian Andrey Rublev rounding out the first five seeds.
The No. 6 seed is Rafael Nadal of Spain, who is tied with Djokovic and Roger Federer of Switzerland with 20 Grand Slam wins. First up for Nadal will be American Marcos Giron.
Nadal is in the same grouping with Zverev and would have to defeat him in the quarterfinals if he were to meet Djokovic in the semifinals. Nadal has one just one Australian Open (2009).
Meanwhile, Djokovic remains a target of controversy in Australia, where it was announced Thursday that ticket sales for the tournament will be limited at 50 percent capacity for any sessions that already haven't reached that level because of the soaring number of COVID-19 cases in the area.
Tsistipas, the world's No. 4-ranked player, said Djokovic had been treated differently.
"There are two ways to look at it. One side of it is that almost every single player is fully vaccinated ... and have followed the protocols to play in Australia," he told WIO News of India. "On the other hand, it seems not everyone is playing by the rules. ... A very small majority chose to follow their own way, which kind of makes the majority look like fools."
Another tennis legend, Martina Navratilova, said Djokovic shouldn't be in Australia.
"The best thing for Novak to do I think would be just say, 'You know what, there are too many mistakes, this is not OK and the right thing to do is just to go home," Navratilova, winner of 18 Grand Slam titles, told Channel 7 News in Australia on Thursday.
"It's just the right thing to do, but I don't think he will do that because he wants that 21st title."
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Greek Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Greek Herald.
More InformationCHICAGO, Illinois: For the first time in history, U.S. officials are considering a coordinated plan to vaccinate poultry against bird...
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 28 (ANI): The Airports Authority of India (AAI) conducted a mock drill at Chennai International...
Kangra (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 28 (ANI): A full-scale emergency mock exercise was successfully conducted at Kangra Airport...
Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 28 (ANI): Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy reaffirmed the Government's full support...
From the bombers of the Empire to helicopters for the Pentagon Igor Sikorskys machines were always Russian at heart In a makeshift...
LHASA, June 28 (Xinhua) -- International business leaders gathered at a forum in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region this week,...
THE HAGUE, Netherlands: NATO is pressing ahead with a sweeping new defense spending target, calling on all 32 member nations to commit...
The Israeli embassy has condemned the incident as advocacy of ethnic cleansing UK police have launched an investigation after anti-Israel...
Washington DC [US], June 29 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Saturday (US local time) called the continuation of the trial against...
Washington DC [US], June 29 (ANI): US President Donald Trump dismissed reports suggesting his administration is considering a USD 30...
Washington DC [US], June 29 (ANI): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday (US local time) said that Iran must ensure the safety...
Tehran has accused the nuclear watchdog of issuing a biased report that was used to justify the Israeli and US attacks Iran has barred...