Tag: Djokovic

Djokovic plans 2023 Australian Open return: tournament chief

Novak Djokovic intends to play the Australian Open in 2023, tournament chief Craig Tiley said Sunday while blaming “miscommunication” for his deportation ahead of this year’s event. The world number one’s visa was cancelled ahead of the season-opening Grand Slam over his Covid-19 vaccination status, an incident that tarred the lead-up. He flew out of Melbourne a week ago after failing in a last-gasp bid to stay and target a record 21st major title following […]

‘Disappointed’ Djokovic says he will leave Australia

Novak Djokovic said Sunday he was “extremely disappointed” by Australia’s decision to deport him but he would comply and leave the country. Hours earlier, three judges at the Federal Court had unanimously dismissed the unvaccinated Serbian superstar’s last-gasp attempt to overturn the government’s cancellation of his visa. “I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country,” the 34-year-old world number one said in […]

Djokovic visa move protects Australian ‘sacrifices’: PM

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Friday his government cancelled Novak Djokovic’s visa to protect Australia’s hard-won gains against the Covid-19 pandemic. “Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected,” Morrison said in a statement. © Agence France-Presse

Djokovic admits meeting journalist when he had Covid

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic on Wednesday admitted meeting a journalist when he knew he had Covid-19, describing it as an “error of judgement”. Djokovic also conceded he submitted a false declaration to the Australian government about his travel history between flying to Melbourne, though he blamed it on his agent. The comments were in a statement posted to Instagram aimed at addressing the controversies surrounding his efforts to play at the […]

Djokovic withdraws from ATP Cup in Sydney: organisers

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) – Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the ATP Cup in Sydney, organisers said on Wednesday, heightening doubts about his vaccination status and whether he will defend his Australian Open title. “World No.1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2022 ATP Cup. Team Serbia will now be led by world No.33 Dusan Lajovic,” organisers said in a statement ahead of Saturday’s start to the tournament. There has been intense speculation as to whether […]

Djokovic ‘shocked’ by Peng disappearance after tennis star accused Chinese politician of sexual assault

    TURIN, Italy (AFP) — Novak Djokovic expressed his shock Monday at the ‘disappearance’ of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, who has not been heard from since accusing a powerful politician of sexual assault. Peng claimed earlier this month that former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli had assaulted her, the first time the #MeToo movement has struck at the top echelons of the ruling Communist Party. Chinese officials have refused to answer questions on the fate […]

Djokovic into US Open last 8, three wins from Grand Slam

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Novak Djokovic struggled but advanced within three matches of completing the first men’s singles calendar-year Grand Slam in 52 years on Monday by outlasting American Jenson Brooksby at the US Open. World number one Djokovic rallied past 99th-ranked Brooksby 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to book a quarter-final encounter with Italian sixth seed Matteo Berrettini in a rematch of July’s Wimbledon final. The 34-year-old Serbian star would become the first […]

Zverev routs Khachanov to win Olympic tennis gold, first single gold for Germany since 1988

Alexander Zverev brushed aside Karen Khachanov in straight sets on Sunday to seal the Olympic men’s singles title. The fourth seed, who ended Novak Djokovic’s Golden Grand Slam bid in the semi-finals, produced a dominant display to win 6-3, 6-1 after just 79 minutes on court. Zverev becomes only the second German to win an Olympic singles gold after Steffi Graf in 1988, while Boris Becker and Michael Stich took the men’s doubles crown four […]

Williams exits in tears as Osaka, Djokovic reach finals

by Martin PARRY Agence France Presse MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Japan’s Naomi Osaka brutally halted Serena Williams’s latest bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title on Thursday, as Novak Djokovic wrote the final chapter of qualifier Aslan Karatsev’s fairy-tale run. Fans returned after a five-day coronavirus lockdown in time to see an emotional exit from Williams, Jennifer Brady’s win over Karolina Muchova and top-ranked Djokovic preserving his perfect semi-final record at Karatsev’s expense. Triple […]

Novak Djokovic, Grand Slam superstar but never the people’s champion

by Dave JAMES PARIS, France (AFP) — From growing up with NATO bombs raining down on Serbia to securing his place amongst the Grand Slam greats, Novak Djokovic never fails to both divide and unite. The 33-year-old world number one has seemingly everything he needs. Seventeen Grand Slam titles is just three behind the all-time record of Roger Federer who is five years older. He boasts $143 million in prize money alone. Despite his achievements, […]

Australian Open delay valid if smoke haze worsens: Djokovic

BRISBANE, Australia (AFP) — Novak Djokovic said Australian Open organizers should consider delaying the first Grand Slam of the year if haze from bush-fires raging around the country threatens players’ health. The opening major of 2020 is due to start at Melbourne Park on January 20 and the city was blanketed by smoke from blazes burning to the east on Saturday, compromising air quality. Djokovic, president of the ATP players council, said in the early […]

Djokovic: ‘life goes on’ as injury wrecks US Open defense

by Martyn WOOD NEW YORK, United States (AFP ) — Top-ranked defending champion Novak Djokovic said “life goes on” after a shoulder injury forced him to quit Sunday’s clash with Stan Wawrinka in the last 16 of the US Open. Wawrinka, the 23rd seed and 2016 champion, led Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 2-1 when the Serb quit with a nagging left shoulder problem that had troubled him since the start of the tournament. “The pain was […]