Djokovic asks the Australian Government for “understanding”

Novak Djokovic, who is in all, from London asked the governments of the state of Victoria and Australia “understanding” so that the first Grand Slam of the season can be played in Melbourne on the scheduled dates, from January 18 to 31. He did so after news broke that the oceanic country's administrations would not allow players to enter the nation until January 1. If this were the case, and taking into account that in principle a 14-day quarantine will be mandatory, the start of the tournament and the entire schedule for the bubble that the ATP wants to set up in Victoria they would be compromised. The idea of ​​the governing body of men's tennis, supported by the WTA and the ITF, was that the players arrive from December 15 and that the ATP Cup opens the season precisely on January 1. The 2 would start the women's calendar.

Djokovic, well informed by what he said, expressed his concern: “As far as I know, the Australian Open will take place, either in the planned weeks or in the following weeks. If that is necessary, then obviously the tournaments afterwards would suffer. So, men's and women's tennis, ATP, WTA and everyone involved we have to consider what are the ramifications of these potential decisions and how is that going to affect the tour afterwards. “

The Serbian, who confirmed that his intention is to play in Melbourne and that he is willing to spend those two weeks in isolation, made a public call for the collaboration of politicians: “I hope there is support and understanding from the Victorian and Australian Governments for the players and for Tennis Australia, and that they allow the players to compete in the second week of quarantine. Hopefully that will help the schedule tremendously and you won't miss a week. You will also be able to play at least a tournament or two before the Australian Open, which for most players is important. “Now everything is in the hands of the national leaders.