Novak Djokovic started the current season in the worst possible way after his incredible odyssey before the Australian Open. Novak was confident he had a valid exemption to access Australia even if he was not vaccinated against the coronavirus. Eventually, after a huge struggle, he had to renounce playing the first slam of the season and return to Europe. Novak finally received a 3 years ban from Australia. However, that ban can also be lifted and the former world number 1 may challenge the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal for the title next season.
Will Djokovic play in the Australian Open?
It is still unclear if Novak will be allowed to compete in Melbourne this year. The Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley found himself in hot water last year during Djokovic’s saga.
Craig tried to do everything he could to allow Novak to play the Australian Open, but that backfired. When asked about what is going to happen with Djokovic, Craig had a rather conservative reply.
“It’s not a matter we can lobby on,” Admitted Craig. “Novak and the federal government need to work out the situation and then we’ll follow any instruction after that. It’s a matter that definitely stays between the two of them and then depending on the outcome of that we would welcome him to the Australian Open.”
Novak Djokovic in 2022
Now ranked no.7, Novak played his last match on the 9th of October when he defeated world no.5 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-4 in the final in Astana to win his 90th career title.
Currently, during this season the Serbian has achieved a 33-6 match record. The Serbian clinched 4 titles in 2022 in Rome, Wimbledon, Tel Aviv and Astana. The Serbian got to the final in Belgrade.
Djokovic is scheduled to play next in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters). He will commence the tournament from the main draw on the 31st of October.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2022
LWWWWLWWWW Ranked no.1, Carlos played his last match on the 4th of October when he was defeated by world no.58 David Goffin 7-5 6-3 in the 1st round in Astana (draw).
During this season Alcaraz achieved a 52-11 record. The Spaniard clinched 5 titles in 2022 in Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Barcelona, Madrid and U.S. Open. Alcaraz got to the final in Hamburg and in Umag.
He is also scheduled to play in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters) after Basel. The main draw will start on the 24th of October.
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz played each other only 1 time. Their head to head is 1-0 for Alcaraz. When they played, Carlos Alcaraz won 6-7(5) 7-5 7-6(5) in the semifinal in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) on the 7th of May 2022.
[Here are the highlights].
Rafael Nadal in 2022
Currently ranked no.2, the Spaniard played his last match on the 5th of September when he capitulated to world no.17 Francis Tiafoe 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-3 in the 4th round in the U.S. Open (draw).
Presently, during this year Nadal has a 38-5 record. Rafael has won 4 titles in 2022 in Melbourne, Australian Open, Acapulco and French Open. Nadal was the finalist in Indian Wells.
Novak Djokovic |
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