Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic (L) shakes hands with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic as he arrives for a meeting in Belgrade on February 3, 2022. - The 34-year-old world number one was unable to play in the Australian Open after being deported over Covid-19 vaccination issues, despite initially receiving an exemption from officials based on an positive PCR test weeks ahead of the tournament. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images)
Novak Djokovic reportedly set to get vaccinated after being deported before Australian Open 2022
Novak Djokovic has chosen to be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to his biographer Daniel Muksch. This is in the aftermath of his controversial exit from the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Djokovic arrived in Australia on a ‘medical exemption’ after contracting the virus in December. Unfortunately, the Australian government prohibited the Serbian from entering the country and cancelled his visa. According to Muksch, Djokovic is finally open to receiving the vaccine to prevent such situations in the future.
“From what I have heard from those around him, I think he is getting vaccinated. Perhaps the Australian final has contributed [to that decision]. It may be that Nadal’s 21 Grand Slams is driving him to do so.” (h/t MARCA)
The World No.1 has also seen a challenger to his top spot in Daniil Medvedev. The Russian had a stellar 2021 and won his maiden Grand Slam at the US Open. With a Grand Slam Finals appearance, Medvedev edges closer to Djokovic. Medvedev is 890 points behind Djokovic and is playing at the Rotterdam Open ATP 500 event.
Djokovic will compete in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in the week of 21 February. He is a five-time winner in Dubai. The Serbian owns a 41-6 record at the ATP 500 event, where he last won in 2020.
Will Djokovic equal Nadal’s record?
The 34-year old won 3 of the 4 Grand Slams in 2021. However, he was close to completing the Career Slam, but fell short at the final hurdle. In 2022, Djokovic has an amazing chance at overtaking Nadal in the Grand Slam tally. He will be eager to make up for his unfortunate absence in Melbourne. He will be looking to retain his Roland Garros title in May, followed by Wimbledon and the US Open.
This season will be vital in dictating who will end up with most Grand Slams. The answer is uncertain as ever.
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