Djokovic's participation at ATP Cup still unclear, as tournament draws closer

With the ATP Cup set to begin on January 1, there is still a lot of uncertainty regarding the participation of World No.1 Novak Djokovic.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion has repeatedly declined to say if he's vaccinated against Covid-19, although organizers of the Australian Open organizers have insisted that all participating players must either be fully vaccinated against the virus or obtain a medical exemption.

With players starting to arrive in Sydney for the ATP Cup, there was still no clarity on Monday whether top-ranked Novak Djokovic would be taking part in the team tournament or in the Grand Slam that follows. If the Serbian does not turn up, world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev would be the top draw at the ATP Cup, and he has already arrived in Sydney to help Russia defend its title.

Djokovic, 34, has won a record nine Australian Open titles, including the last three, and the chances of him playing Down Under improved when he was named in Serbia's team for the ATP Cup. But on Saturday, a report in Serbian daily Blic said Djokovic would not be travelling to Sydney for the tournament, adding to doubts over whether he will play at Melbourne Park from Jan. 17.

His father Srdjan told a Serbian television channel last month that Djokovic would probably pull out of the major, saying Tennis Australia's stance on mandatory vaccination was tantamount to "blackmail".