Melbourne: Covid controversy, detention at immigration facilities and drama courtroom formed a background with what would be Novak Djokovic’s biggest victory if he raised the 21st Grand Slam record at the Australian Open.
With the Melbourne Showpiece starting on Monday, the number one participation of the world number one and Bela was in a big doubt.
The Australian government is still pondering whether it will cancel Serbian visa which is not vaccinated for the second time and throws it abroad.
The 34-year-old flew to Melbourne claimed the exception of the vaccine because the Covid test was positive in mid-December, but border officials refused it, his visa was revoked and he was transferred to the detention center.
Djokovic’s legal team canceled it in court, freed the top seed to begin his disturbed preparation for the tournament where he did not lose the match since 2018.
The Australian government can deport.
Also read “Apart from everything that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete,” he tweeted, adding that he “remained focused” to win a favorite slam despite an unprecedented buildup, off and in court.
If Djokovic, who was drawn against fellow Serbia Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round, indeed played and continued to win the Australian Open he would become the most successful men’s tennis player in history with 21 majors.
But he might have to do it in the face of hostile receipts from the audience, all of which must be vaccinated to pass through the gate of Melbourne Park, in a city that has experienced more than 250 pandemic locking days.
Djokovic is one of the best tennis players of all time but he has history provoking controversy.
Last year he was accused of pretending to be injured while running to the Australian Open title.
In 2020 we opened him the default of the tournament to hit the line judge in the throat with the ball.
All that emerged after the bad launch of his Adria tour at the peak of the pandemic in 2020 when the world of sports was closed.
He was labeled “Tools” by Australia Nick Kyrgios after asking for home by practicing the court for players who were quarantined before Australia last year opened.
But there is no doubt about his talent or popularity in the eyes of his loyal fans, and Melbourne has a large serbian community.
Djokovic has the end of the world number one on a record seven times and spends more weeks at the top of the ATP tour ranking, 359 and calculation, than other players.
His ninth victory in 17 visits in the Covid Pending Tournament last year strengthened his dominance in Melbourne, where he claimed his first grand slam title in 2008.
With Roger Federer injured and absent, Rafael Nadal and World number Danil Medvedev was seen as the biggest Djokovic challenger – and the recipient Benefits if Serbia does not play.
Russia Medvedev, who faced Henri Laaksonen Switzerland in the first round, conquered Djokovic in the US Open final in September to win his first major and ended world number one efforts to win the grand slam calendar.
Aging Spanish Great Nadal – one of the ‘big three’ along with Djokovic and Federer – also pursued a major record 21.
However, now 13 years since Nadal was injured, who began his campaign against America Marcos Giron, won the title alone in Melbourne, even though the four further trips further to the final.
Another ass included German Olympic champion Alexander Zverev and Tsitipas Stefanos number four of the world, although Greece tried to overcome elbow operations recently.
England Andy Murray, runner-up in Australia opened five times, returned to the Wildcard for the first time since the appearance of the “farewell” emotional 2019 after undergoing hip surgery that allowed him to make extraordinary comeback.
Murray will begin his offer against Nikoloz Basilhvili, who was defeated by Scot in three sets at the ATP Sydney heating event on Wednesday.