Novak Djokovic is welcome at Australian Open, says tournament director; Russian and Belarusian players can compete at Australian Open despite boycott
Updated
Australia’s top men’s and women’s tennis player Novak Djokovic has confirmed he will compete next month at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
“I am in the final stages of my preparations and getting everything down, and I am looking forward to competing in Melbourne at the grand slam of tennis,” he said in a message on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.
“I am happy to be playing in Melbourne and I am sure it will be a special occasion.
“I will also be competing in London in all of my events this year.
“I will be cheering for my friend Milos Raonic and I will send him lots of good luck on Sunday.”
Australia’s top men’s player, Bernard Tomic, was the subject of a strong boycott of the Australian Open by Russian and Belarusian sports officials who believe his presence in Melbourne would draw more Russian and Belarusian fans, who compete in the country’s tennis circuit.
Australia’s top men’s and women’s player and world No 32 Bernard Tomic is the subject of a boycott over his participation at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Australia’s top men’s and women’s player and world No 32 Bernard Tomic is the subject of a boycott over his participation at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Djokovic, the world No 3, said he would be supporting his friend, Russian world No 1 Karen Khachanov, who has not competed at an ATP event since his Wimbledon quarter-final defeat to Tomas Berdych in June.
“I have always been very clear with my attitude towards what I will be willing to sacrifice or sacrifice for to make sure Novak and I are paired at a grand slam event like Melbourne,” Djokovic said.
“I want to play in Melbourne, but I don’t want to make it an issue around this year’s Melbourne.
“It’s not as big a deal as some might think. I think it’s in my best interest to play and I am looking forward to it.”
However, Tomic said his stance would not be changed.
“I’ve made it known my position on the matter and I expect to be playing in Sydney for the first time in over five years this month,” he said in a post
