Uncertainty Continues For Australian Open
It’s been a tumultuous run-up to this year’s Australian Open due to some of the world’s best having had to withdraw from competing in the tournament at short notice due to injuries and other issues. But there certainly is light at the end of the tunnel, if all goes according to plan for Novak Djokovic. The former World No. 1 recently returned to playing and competed in the Kooyong Classic after having been absent for six months due to an elbow injury.
The initial expectation was that Djokovic would not be competing in this year’s Australian Open, but the 30-year old Serbian has said that he was very happy with how he played at the Kooyong Classic and that he would in all probability be playing in the Australian Open come January 15th.
If Djokovic were to compete in the Grand Slam tournament at Melbourne Park, he will be going for a record 7th Australian Open title. He has not played in a major tournament since having retired early from Wimbledon in July of last year. Commenting on his level of fitness, Djokovic said that he was aware that he wasn’t 100% where he needed to be ahead of the Open, but that he would only be able to gauge exactly where he was at once he got the feel of the tournament.
Andy Murray, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka have already withdrawn from this year’s Australian Open. Here’s hoping that this will not be necessary for Djokovic.
Wawrinka Possibly Also A No-Show
Stan Wawrinka was notably absent from the recent Tiebreak Tens at Melbourne Park. Wawrinka underwent knee surgery since last having played at Wimbledon and withdrew from competing mere hours before the start of the Tiebreak Tens event.
Whether he will be competing in this year’s Australian Open is now in serious jeopardy and anyone’s guess.
What’s worse is that the 32-year old Grand Slam champion has cited a shoulder injury as the reason for having withdrawn from the event at the last minute. Speaking to the press, the World No. 9 said that he would only play in the Australian Open in the event that he was completely convinced that he was fit enough to do so.
He added that playing in a tournament was very different from a practice match and that the stress of a real match exuded a lot of tension on the body. He said that he would only play if he felt that he had zero risk of further injury.
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