A few weeks ago, Novak Djokovic received clearance to travel to Australia next month. The local government has in fact lifted the three-year ban that weighed on the head of the Serbian, the protagonist of a bad soap opera earlier this year.
The 35-year-old from Belgrade had in fact been expelled from the country due to his vaccination status and had not been able to participate in the Australian Open. For the same reason, the former world number 1 had also had to give up the US Open and all the American Masters 1000.
However, 2022 was satisfactory for him thanks to the triumphs at Wimbledon and the ATP Finals in Turin, without forgetting the victory at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Despite a season heavily conditioned by his choice not to get vaccinated against the Coronavirus, Nole managed to close the year in the Top 5 and reiterated that he is still the man to beat.
The 21-time Grand Slam champion will start his 2023 by competing in the ATP 250 in Adelaide, and then go hunting for his tenth seal in Melbourne Park. Guest of the exhibition staged in Saudi Arabia, Mats Wilander said that Djokovic will be the big favorite at the AO (which will start on January 16).
Mats Wilander on Nole Djokovic
Present in Saudi Arabia, Mats Wilander answered questions from our colleagues at Tennis Italiano. According to the Swede, Novak Djokovic is the big favorite for the Australian Open but there is still a risk.
“I see Nole as the big favourite, ahead of Medvedev, who is at his best on the concrete courts, and Nadal, the defending champion. The only thing that can betray Djokovic is his desire to do too much, to prove, after everything that happened to him in Australia a year ago, that this tournament is his home.
With 9 titles in Melbourne, it is certain that the Serb will be the big favorite for the 2023 edition which begins on January 16. 2022 Australian Open Boys’ singles runner-up Jakub Mensik recently stated that he is delighted that Novak Djokovic will be allowed to participate in the 2023 edition of the tournament.
“I wish him [luck] very much. When the news reached me that he would be able to play one of the most popular Grand Slams, I was very happy. Already at the beginning of the year, he had a very difficult time there. I’ll be cheering for him and sending energy there remotely,” Mensik stated.
