NOVAK Djokovic has pulled out of the ATP Cup in Sydney this week, said organisers today, heightening doubts over whether he will defend his Australian Open title.

There has been intense speculation as to whether he will travel to Australia, having refused to confirm if he has been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

“World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2022 ATP Cup,” said organisers in a statement ahead of the start to the team tournament on Saturday.

“Team Serbia will now be led by world No. 33 Dusan Lajovic.”

Djokovic, the nine-time Australian Open champion, can win a record 21st Grand Slam title if he plays at Melbourne Park next month, but to enter the country, he and members of his entourage have to be vaccinated.

He had previously expressed his opposition to the vaccine, with his father, Srdjan, saying that Djokovic will probably not play the first Grand Slam of the year, accusing the organisers of “blackmail”.

Djokovic has been named in the entry list for the Australian Open, which starts on January 17, but he can yet withdraw. He was also originally on the entry list for the ATP Cup.

Tennis Australia has organised charter flights to bring international stars into Melbourne and Sydney.

Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka was among those who touched down yesterday, but Djokovic was not on board. Players can also opt to fly commercial.

The ATP Cup has been hit by several withdrawals – either because of Covid-19 or injury – and as a result, France will replace Austria in Group B after Dominic Thiem and Dennis Novak pulled out, said organisers today.

Team Russia’s Andrey Rublev – who has Covid-19 – Aslan Karatsev and Evgeny Donskoy have also withdrawn, as has the USA’s Austin Krajicethe, they added.

The coronavirus looks set to cast a dark shadow over the Australian Open and the raft of tournaments in the country beforehand.

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal, who was due to play a warm-up event in Melbourne next week, was among several players to have contracted the virus at an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi this month.

His opponent, Wimbledon semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov, also later tested positive.

Three female players at the same event also tested positive – Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic, US Open champion Emma Raducanu and Wimbledon quarter-finalist Ons Jabeur.

Earlier Wednesday, Nick Kyrgios urged Nadal and Djokovic to play at the Australian Open, saying it will be a “disaster” if the ‘Big Three’ are missing.

Swiss ace Roger Federer has already pulled out as he recovers from a knee injury and Nadal’s plans are unclear.

The dominant ‘Big Three’ have won 20 Grand Slam titles each, and Kyrgios said tennis still needs them, starting in Melbourne next month.

“I honestly do not know Novak’s current situation with anything Covid-related or what he needs to play,” Kyrgios told the Melbourne Age newspaper.

“I hope he has had a good Christmas and is able to play in the sport for as long as possible because I have voiced before I think Federer, Nadal and Djokovic need to be (playing).

“If all three are not there, it is a disaster.” – AFP, December 29, 2021.