AUSTRALIAN OPEN: Djokovic prepares amidst uncertainty after seeds and draw announcement
The seeds for this year’s first Grand Slam have been set and the official Australian Open draw took place today, 13th January at Melbourne Park.
After having to fight in court to compete on court, the standout name on the men’s list is without a doubt 9-time Australian Open winner, Novak Djokovic and it is likely that his greatest threat will come in the form of second seed, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, who got the better of the Serb to take his maiden Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows last year.
The only other top ranked player to have won the Australian Open during the Djokovic dominance is Rafael Nadal. The famous left-hander has only claimed the top prize at the Rod Laver Arena just once, but this time, like Djokovic, he is aiming for his 21st Grand Slam which would put him ahead of his two greatest rivals.
The Australian Federal Circuit Court quashed the decision to cancel the defending Grand Slam champion’s visa, but Immigration Minister, Alex Hawke still has the power to cancel his visa; his office says he is considering it.
Separate to whether Djokovic held the valid medical exemption to enter Australia unvaccinated, Judge Kelly ruled the Serbian was treated unfairly when detained at the airport by federal officers and after languishing in immigration detention for five days before being released.
This saga still feels like it is far from over.
Novak Djokovic and Ashleigh Barty were named as top seeds for both men and women respectively. The first Grand Slam of 2022 is set to begin on the 17th of January next week.
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