MELBOURNE, Australia – Novak Djokovic was officially named the top men’s seed for the 2022 Australian Open, ending speculation about the status of the world’s No. 1 player.
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The draw for the Australian Open had been delayed briefly on Thursday “until further notice,” four days before the main draw of the year’s first Grand Slam tennis tournament is scheduled to start.
Update 12:42 a.m. EST Jan. 13: Novak Djokovic was officially installed as the No. 1 men’s seed for the 2022 Australian Open, clearing the way for the nine-time champion to defend his title in the season’s first Grand Slam event. Whether Djokovic actually plays remains to be seen. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he is not making further comments on a potential decision on Djokovic’s visa, adding that the matter rests with Immigration Minister Alex Hawke.
Update 12:30 a.m. EST Jan. 13: Australian Open officials conducted the women’s singles draw first; the men’s draw is scheduled to follow.
Original report: There was speculation that the delay reflected some uncertainty among government officials over the status of Novak Djokovic, the defending men’s champion and a nine-time winner at the event.
The draw, to determine men’s and women’s singles brackets, was scheduled to be held at 3 p.m. local time in Melbourne, but a tournament official told reporters that the ceremony had been postponed until further notice and declined further comment, The Associated Press reported.
Djokovic has said he intends to compete in this year’s event as he aims for his 21st Grand Slam title. He was released from hotel detention on Monday, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. The world’s No. 1 men’s player arrived in Melbourne on Jan. 5 but was detained for more than eight hours before his visa was canceled.
A federal circuit court judge later reversed the cancellation. Djokovic won reinstatement on procedural grounds that allowed him to remain in Australia, according to The Associated Press.
>> Coronavirus: Novak Djokovic’s Australian visa reinstated by judge
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has been considering whether to allow Djokovic to play since the judge reinstated the player’s visa, according to the AP.
Earlier, Djokovic acknowledged that his Australian travel declaration form contained incorrect information. The Serbian star is not vaccinated against COVID-19, on public interest grounds, the AP reported.
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Here are some memorable photos of tennis star Novak Djokovic through the years.
2004: Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Montenegro in action against Dannis Van Scheppinggen of the Netherlands during the first round of the ATP Thailand Open at the Inpact Arena on September 28, 2004, in Bangkok, Thailand.
2005: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates beating Gael Monfils of France during the first round of the US Open at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on August 30, 2005, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Djokovic won 7-5, 4-6, 7-6, 0-6, 7-5.
2006: Andy Murray of Great Britain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Montenegro celebrate a point in their doubles match against Fabrice Santoro of France and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia and Montenegro during Day 4 of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park January 19, 2006, in Melbourne, Australia.
2007: Tennis pro Novak Djokovic poses for a portrait shoot on April 15, 2007, in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
2008: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with his trophy following his victory at the Men’s Singles at the Australian Open 2008 on January 28, 2008, in Melbourne, Australia.
2009: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with the trophy after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland in the final during Day 7 of the Davidoff Swiss Indoors Tennis at St. Jakobshalle on November 8, 2009, in Basel, Switzerland.
2010: Rafael Nadal of Spain (right) poses with the championship trophy alongside runner up Novak Djokovic of Serbia (left) after their men’s singles final on Day 15 of the 2010 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2010, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
2011: Novak Djokovic of Serbia kisses the trophy as he celebrates defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain during the Men’s Final on Day 15 of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 12, 2011, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
2012: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup and the clock after winning championship point and playing in the longest grand slam final ever in his men’s final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during Day 14 of the 2012 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2012, in Melbourne, Australia.
2013: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning against Richard Gasquet of France during their men’s semifinal match of the 2013 China Open at the National Tennis Center on October 5, 2013, in Beijing, China.
2014: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning a game against Milos Raonic of Canada during Day 7 of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia tennis 2014 on May 17, 2014, in Rome, Italy.
2015: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with the winner’s trophy after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland during their Men’s Singles Final match on Day 14 of the 2015 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2015, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Djokovic defeated Federer 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
2016: Serena Williams of the USA and Novak Djokovic of Serbia pose with the trophies during the 2016 Australian Open official draw at Melbourne Park on January 15, 2016, in Melbourne, Australia.
2017: Novak Djokovic of Serbia stretches to hit a forehand during the men’s singles third round match against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina on Day 6 of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2017, in Paris, France.
2018: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates a point duirng his men’s singles third-round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain during Day 6 of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on June 1, 2018, in Paris, France.
2019: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup following victory in his Men’s Singles Final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during Day 14 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2019, in Melbourne, Australia.
2020: Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand during his Men’s Singles third-round match against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan on Day 5 of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2020, in Melbourne, Australia.
2021: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning match point in his Men’s Singles third-round match against Taylor Fritz of the United States during Day 5 of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 12, 2021, in Melbourne, Australia.