“Novak Djokovic did not give an explanation” Serbia’s No. 1 at the 2022 ATP Cup, Dusan Lajovic talks of Novak pulling out from the tournament

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic‘s participation at the 2022 ATP Cup was a tense situation given the contrasting viewpoints of the Serbian and the Australian government over vaccination. Djokovic has continued to maintain his stance of not revealing his private medical records and the Australian government have nothing but sympathy for the player who won’t be able to play tournaments given their strict policy over vaccination.

The Serbian team qualified for the ATP Cup as Novak’s rank of World No. 1 gave them automatic qualification. However, his withdrawal from the tournament is a massive blow to them as he was their talisman and was instrumental in winning the inaugural 2020 ATP Cup two years ago.

Rumours about Novak’s withdrawal had started floating a few days back but it was on the 29th of December that ATP received an official withdrawal from Djokovic for the ATP Cup thus putting an end to the confusion created. Leading Serbia will now be World No. 33 Dusan Lajovic who talked about his compatriot’s withdrawal in the press conference.

“Yeah, just a couple of minutes ago, I’m joking. We knew a day and a half ago or something like that. I think we were all waiting for that last-minute decision. He kept in touch with all of us, and it was, as I said, a last-minute decision. No, I don’t know the official reason.

“Maybe the ATP knows, or I don’t know. No, he just said that he’s not coming to the ATP and trying to get to the Australian Open. Unfortunately, he’s not able to come here, but, you know, he was I think hoping, same as we did, that somehow he will be here. Unfortunately, he’s not, and we’ve got to deal with it,” said Lajovic in his press conference.

Novak Djokovic is trying to get to the Australian Open says Lajovic

After Djokovic’s withdrawal from the ATP Cup, the focus is completely now on the 2022 Australian Open and whether the 9-time champion and 3-time defending champion will come back to Melbourne Park to win his 21st Grand Slam title for which he is in a pole position.

“Australian Open is still uncertain for us. I don’t know the information, so I think that will come in the next couple of days or whenever is the deadline or whatever it is. We don’t know right now. Hopefully, he will be there and be able to play the Grand Slam. He didn’t specify if he’s coming or not but that he’s waiting for a decision.,” said Lajovic when asked about Novak’s decision to play the Slam in January.

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