High-motivated Rafael Nadal remarked that Novak Djokovic’s return to the Australian Open on Wednesday dispelled speculation that the Serb was considering retirement. The 36-year-old Spaniard, a new father, will begin his season in the United Cup, a new mixed-teams tournament, on Thursday in Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth. It will help him prepare for a rematch with Daniil Medvedev, whom he defeated in a five-set thriller at the Australian Open this year.
Novak Djokovic was arrested and deported from the country after refusing to obtain the COVID-19 immunization prior to the competition.
The Covid immunization is no longer required before traveling to Australia. An exiled Serb returned to the nation on Tuesday.
| Dates: | Monday, January 16 – Sunday, January 29 |
| Location: | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Venue: | Melbourne Park |
| Category: | Grand Slam |
| TV Channels: | ESPN, TSN, Channel 9, Eurosport |
| Watch Anywhere: | Try ExpressVPN 100% risk-free |
Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slams to Djokovic’s 21, was overjoyed to meet his adversary. In Sydney, the world’s number two player claimed that Novak’s presence was helpful to both the sport and the spectators. “No? The most talented athletes generally win.
Djokovic, who is now ranked sixth, will compete in the Adelaide International on Sunday, hoping to capture his eleventh Melbourne Park title.
In 2004, Nadal made his professional debut at the Australian Open. With his health issues and new parenting responsibilities, he was questioned if this was his last trip to Australia. “I certainly hope not,” he said.
Nadal will need to be at his best to overcome Draper, who has already reached the quarterfinals in Adelaide. His appearance in the United Cup resulted in two losses. To progress to the semifinals, Nadal will need to be at his best, as he will play Karen Khachanov, Frances Tiafoe, Hubert Hurkacz, Denis Shapovalov, Sebastian Korda, and Daniil Medvedev.
Djokovic must beat Pablo Carreno Busta, Alex de Minaur, Aslan Karatsev, and Grigor Dimitrov to get to the quarterfinals. Nobody can stop him if he’s in good spirits.
Novak Djokovic will almost certainly never forget being kicked out of Australia in the spring. He retired after the 2022 Australia Open due to a Covid-19 infection.
The Serbian tennis player, on the other hand, has set his sights on winning the Australia Open in 2023. He finished his most disputed story in Melbourne’s tenth.
In 2022, the highest-ranking official made a huge reveal about herself. He received outrage of Australians who were subjected to quarantine as a result of her refusal of vaccination when COVID-19 broke out.
Djokovic shared a motel room with several people looking for safety before coming to Australia. The government’s refusal of her visa application permitted her to continue her studies. Unless you take action, the visa will be void for three years.
Djokovic’s loss to Covid-19 in Australia in November was widely publicized, and he afterwards vowed to arrange visas for his fans. There were no impediments in his path to Melbourne.
Djokovic missed multiple matches in the United States last year. Since winning Wimbledon, he has won 21 Grand Slam titles, one fewer than Rafael Nadal.
In Melbourne, he plans to try to break Nadal’s record. Last week in Adelaide, the world’s fifth-best player, who had just won his maiden event in Australia, was greeted with standing ovations.
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