NOVAK DJOKOVIC is tipped to dethrone Rafael Nadal by winning the Australian Open title – but he’ll be relieved to just make it on the courts this year.
The Serbian superstar will be eager to lift the trophy after not being involved in the 2022 Down Under tournament.
Novak Djokovic won the 2021 Australian Open title
And Djokovic’s chances have increased after witnessing his Spanish rival go crashing out in only the second round.
There has been a lot of confusion as to why the serial winner was denied the opportunity to clinch his tenth Aussie Open silverware.
But SunSport has the official reason as to why Djokovic didn’t play below.
Why didn’t Novak Djokovic play at the Australian Open last year?
Novak Djokovic was denied entry into Australia over a bungled visa application.
The Serb was controversially handed a medical exemption from Australian Open rules stating that participating players must be vaccinated.
However, Djokovic was deported as a member of his team made a mistake in requesting a sub-class of visa that does NOT apply to travellers with Covid-19 vaccine exemptions.
And the Serbian idol wasn’t able to fight his case after failing to provide acceptable proof that he cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
At the time, Djokovic’s father Srdjan was furious at the decision and called on people to ‘take to the streets’ to protest at his son’s blocked entry.
Is Novak Djokovic vaccinated now?
Novak Djokovic decided not to get vaccinated for Covid-19.
And the Serbian sensation – who has won 21 Grand Slams – has said he would rather miss out on future tennis trophies than be forced to get the Covid vaccine.
Speaking to the BBC in February 2022, Djokovic said: “I was never against vaccination, but I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.
“Because the principles of decision-making on my body are more important than any title or anything else. I’m trying to be in tune with my body as much as I possibly can.”
