Novak Djokovic explains why ‘bad memory’ has left him indecisive about competing at 2022 Australian Open

Australian Open
Novak Djokovic interview

Novak Djokovic has urged officials to include players in the decision-making process for the 2022 Australian Open as he would not like a repeat of this year’s quarantine nightmare.

Players remain in the dark about the requirements for next year’s season-opening Grand Slam at Melbourne Park as there have been a series of contradicting statements.

The Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison claims that players will be allowed into the country on the condition that they quarantine for 14 days in a hotel.

Morrison’s message is in line with a leaked email that was sent to WTA players which state that players who have been vaccinated will have complete freedom of movement while the unvaccinated players will need to undergo regular testing after their quarantine period.

Another day of contradictory messages about vaccination stance for the 2022 Australian Open

However, this is in sharp contrast to Victoria Premier Dan Andrews’ statement that unvaccinated players will not be allowed to compete.

In an interview with Blic a fortnight ago, Djokovic admitted that “he didn’t know” if he would compete in Australia.

The Serbian daily has since published the full transcript from the interview which contains more in-depth answers and it is clear the world No 1 is worried about a repeat of the 2021 situation when dozens of players were forced to do a hard quarantine after players on their plane tested positive for Covid-19.

“The main problem is that if you are on a plane with a person who is positive, whether you are vaccinated or not, you automatically have to go to the room for 14 days,” Djokovic said.

“That happened to Viktor Troicki in January this year. Not only him, but also 70 players had to be quarantined. I talked to a lot of players and that is something that everyone has a bad memory of.

“I would like the players to unite a little more, whether through PTPA or something independent or through ATP or WTA, just so that in some way we are relevant in some decision-making process.

“Now, I feel like the players aren’t aware about anything at all. Which isn’t much different from the past of how things were done, not just for Australia but for many other tournaments in general, not to go into details now. I don’t know if I’m going to Australia, I don’t know what’s going on. Currently, the situation is not good at all.”

Novak Djokovic

Latest