ATP Cup: Novak Djokovic in the Serbian team, Spain’s Rafael Nadal is missing

World number one Novak Djokovic was named to the Serbian team for the ATP Cup in Sydney on Tuesday after deliberating whether he would travel due to Australian vaccination rules. The 20-time Grand Slam champion had questioned whether he would defend his Australian Open championship next month, and refused to reveal whether he had been vaccinated against the coronavirus. However, he was listed on the five-man Serbian team when he was drawn to an event in Sydney that preceded the opening of the Grand Slam of the year.

Rafael Nadal was missing, and the Spanish 20-time Grand Slam winner last month suggested he play in a show in Abu Dhabi this month, then the second tournament before arriving in Melbourne for the Australian Open.

The only player in the top 20 in the 16 ATP Cup was injured Swiss Roger Federer.

“The game team enjoys representing their countries, and the fact that 18 of the world’s top 20 players are committing to the event is a testament to that,” said tournament director Tom Larner.

ATP statement attached to the draw stated that top investor Serbia was “world investor Novak Djokovic”, who won three of the four Grand Slam tournaments of the season.

The 34-year-old ended his roller coaster race in the Davis Cup defeat last week and then promised to make a decision on his participation in the Australian Open “very soon”.

Organizers of the Australian Open have only demanded that fully vaccinated players be allowed into the country, which is why Djokovic’s father suggested last month that his son “probably won’t play”.

“Of course he would like to go with all his heart,” he told Serbian television.

“But I really don’t know if that’s going to happen. Probably not in these circumstances, with this blackmail and when it’s done that way.”

Djokovic became infected with Covid-19 during his Adria Tour in the Balkans in June 2020, but said he had no symptoms at all.

Russia is the defending champion of the ATP Cup after its team, led by Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, overtook Italy in the final under Matteo Berrettin.

Djokovic’s Serbia won the inaugural event in 2020 and defeated Nadal-led Spain.

16 teams in next year’s event 1-9. January has been divided into four groups of four playing at two venues in Sydney – Ken Rosewall Arena and Qudos Bank Arena – and each draw includes two doubles and one doubles.

The best seeds in Serbia were shared with Spain, Norway and Chile, while Russia faces Italy, Austria and domestic Australia.

Promoted

Germany, led by reigning ATP final champion Alexander Zverev, in the main series in Group C against Canada, the UK and the US.

Greece, which ranks fourth with Stefanos Tsitsipas, the fourth on the world list, is in the D-block with Poland, Argentina and Georgia.