Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Hubert Hurkacz are among the most notable players who are part of the first order of play of the new season (ATP CUP – 1st of January).
Will Djokovic play?
The mystery around Novak Djokovic‘s presence in Australia is becoming bigger and bigger. Novak is well-known for not being keen on vaccination. However, in order to compete in Australia, all players need to be vaccinated unless they get a (controversial) medical exemption.
There are all sorts of rumors about the participation of Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. A few days ago, it was reported that the world number 1 would not play the ATP Cup. Nevertheless, it was surprising that he was on the list of the players who are expected to play in the tournament on the 1st of January. Novak is expected to clash against Casper Ruud.
Among the other players in action on Saturday, we have a finger-licking match between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Hubert Hurkacz. Here is the complete order of play.
Novak Djokovic in 2021
LWWWLWLWWW Now ranked no.1, Djokovic played his last match on the 3rd of December when he beat world no.30 Marin Cilic 6-4 6-2 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
Currently, during this season Novak has a composed 55-7 record. The Serbian has won 5 titles in 2021 at the Australian Open, in Belgrade, at the French Open, in Wimbledon and in Paris. Djokovic reached the final in Rome and at the U.S. Open.
Casper Ruud in 2021
At the moment ranked no.8 (career-high), Ruud played his last match on the 27th of November when he overcame world no.220 Sergiy Stakhovsky 4-6 6-3 7-6(4) in the Rubber 4 of the Davis Cup (draw).
Presently, during this year Ruud has achieved a composed 57-17 record. Casper conquered 5 titles in 2021 in Geneva, in Bastad, in Gstaad, in Kitzbuhel and in San Diego.
Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud squared off only on 2 occasions. Their current head to head is 2-0 for Djokovic. Previously, the last time when they squared off, Novak Djokovic won 7-6(4) 6-2 in the round robin in Turin (Nitto ATP Finals) on the 15th of November 2021.
Here the highlights.
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2021
Ranked no.4, Stefanos played his last match on the 15th of November when he lost to world no.5 Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-4 in the round robin in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
This season Stefanos has a 55-19 record. Tsitsipas has won 2 titles in 2021 in Monte-Carlo and in Lyon. Tsitsipas was the runner-up in Acapulco, in Barcelona and at the French Open.
Hubert Hurkacz in 2021
Now the world no.9 (career-high), Hubert played his last match on the 18th of November when he capitulated to world no.3 Alexander Zverev 6-2 6-4 in the round robin in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
This year Hubert has a 36-23 win-loss record. The Pole has won 3 titles in 2021 in Delray Beach, in Miami and in Metz.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Hubert Hurkacz played each other 8 times. The head to head is 6-2 for Tsitsipas. Previously, the last time when they competed against each other, Hubert Hurkacz won 2-6 6-3 6-4 in the quarter in Miami (Miami Open) on the 1st of April 2021.
You can watch the highlights in the following video.
Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Hubert Hurkacz |
| Embed from Getty Images |
