MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan 13 (Reuters) – Djokovic’s inclusion in the Australian Open draw was confirmed at a delayed ceremony on Thursday, despite the fact that authorities in Australia could still cancel his bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title.
The 34-year-old reigning world champion was drawn to face unseeded fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round at Melbourne Park after the draw was delayed for more than an hour without clarification.
Djokovic’s visa status uncertain, remains on Australian Open draw
At the end of the subdued ceremony, event organizer Craig Tiley declined to take questions, with Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke still debating whether to cancel Djokovic’s visa for a second attempt after it was canceled upon his entry at Melbourne airport.
The participation of Djokovic in the draw was met with skepticism on social media, with fans foretelling that organizers would have to do another draw before the tournament began on Monday.
Former event organizer Paul McNamee tweeted, “Recognized international reporters are now calling it a ‘temporary’ Australian Open draw.”
“Having managed the Grand Slam tournament for 12 years and knowing how many people have contributed over the years, I have to say I dislike having our Grand Slam mocked.”
Top seed Djokovic, a vaccine skeptic, was granted a medical waiver to compete without receiving COVID-19 vaccination, but Australian Border Force officials ruled the exemption was illegitimate.
After being taken into custody for several days, he was released on Monday after a victory in a court case.
If Australia refuses to play Djokovic again, the Serb will have a relatively easy path to the 2nd week of the Grand Slam, with seventh-seeded Italian Matteo Berrettini drawing near as a potential quarter-final opponent.
After losing multiple days of training due to his detention, Djokovic practiced on Rod Laver Arena’s center court in front of the media for the first part of the session on Thursday.
“Obviously, his preparatory work is atrocious,” his old coach, Boris Becker, told the BBC this week.
“I do not really think he’s ever been in a harsher position heading into a Grand Slam, but that’s just the way it is.”
Sixth seed Rafa Nadal, who shares 20 Grand Slam titles with Djokovic and the missing Roger Federer, will begin his campaign against unseeded American Marcos Giron.
Daniil Medvedev of Russia, who was beaten by Djokovic in last year’s final before beating him in the US Open final, will face Swiss Henri Laaksonen.
Alex Zverev, the third seed and Olympic champion, will face fellow German Daniel Altmaier.
In the women’s draw, top seed and hometown favorite Ash Barty will begin her quest for her first Australian Open title against a qualifier.
Naomi Osaka, seeded 13th, will begin her title defense against Camila Osorio of Colombia.
In a match of Grand Slam champions, British U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu faces American Sloane Stephens in the first round.