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Agence France-Presse

After months of speculation that Novak Djokovic may miss the Australian Open over tough Covid-19 vaccination requirements, the world number one was on Tuesday named to play in a Sydney tournament weeks before.
The 20-time grand slam champion had cast doubt on whether he would defend his title at Melbourne Park next month, refusing to reveal whether he was inoculated against coronavirus.
However, he was listed as part of the five-man Serbia team when the draw was made for the ATP Cup in Sydney that will precede the opening major of the year.
Rafael Nadal was missing, with the Spanish fellow 20-time grand slam winner last month suggesting he would play an exhibition in Abu Dhabi this month, then another tournament before arriving in Melbourne for the Australian Open.

Here are your 2022 #ATPCup groups. Who's your pick? 🌎

Comment below 👇 pic.twitter.com/gActBUCQfA
— ATP Tour (@atptour) December 7, 2021

The only other absent top 20 player for the 16-team ATP Cup was injured Swiss great Roger Federer.
“The playing group enjoy representing their countries and to see 18 of the world’s top 20 players commit to the event is testament to that,” Tom Larner, tournament director, said. “The event shows off the passion the playing group have for this format.”
An ATP statement accompanying the draw noted that top seed Serbia was “headlined by World No. 1 Novak Djokovic”, who won three of the season’s four Grand Slams.
The 34-year-old ended his roller coaster season with a Davis Cup defeat last week and then promised to make a decision on his Australian Open participation “very soon”.
Organisers of the Australian Open have insisted only fully-vaccinated players will be allowed into the country, which saw Djokovic’s father Srdjan last month suggest his son “probably won’t” play.
“Of course he would want to go with all his heart,” he told Serbian television.
“But I really don’t know if that will happen. Probably not under these conditions, with this blackmail and when it’s done that way.”

Djokovic contracted Covid-19 during the ill-fated Adria Tour event he organised in the Balkans in June 2020, but said he did not suffer from any symptoms.
Russia are the defending ATP Cup champions after their team spearheaded by Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev swept past a Matteo Berrettini-led Italy in the final.
Djokovic’s Serbia won the inaugural event in 2020, overpowering the Nadal-led Spain.
The teams in next year’s US$10 million event, from January 1-9, are divided into four groups of four, playing across two Sydney venues -the Ken Rosewall Arena and Qudos Bank Arena - with each tie comprising two singles matches and one doubles.
Top seeds Serbia were grouped with Spain, Norway and Chile, while Russia will face Italy, Austria and home nation Australia.
Germany, led by reigning ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev, headline Group C against Canada, Great Britain and the United States, while Greece, featuring world number four Stefanos Tsitsipas, are in Group D with Poland, Argentina and Georgia.
It kicks off a bumper series of ATP and WTA tournaments in the lead-up to the Australian Open, beginning on January 17, with events across Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne.


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Chelsea, Real Madrid earning UWCL wins, Italy clinching BJK Cup among sporting headlines

ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)

Novak Djokovic slated to play in Australia’s ATP Cup ahead of Australian Open

Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning the men’s final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy at Wimbledon in July 11. Photo: Tim Ireland/Xinhua

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates his victory over Italy’s Matteo Berrettini during the men’s singles final match at Wimbledon. Photo: AP/Alberto Pezzali

With Novak Djokovic and Lewis Hamilton’s plant-based sports success, five plant-based foods that reduce inflammation and boost white blood cells after exercise

Novak Djokovic hits a return against Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final. The Serbian tennis player has said his diet of vegetables, fruit, gluten-free grains, nuts and seeds is one of the reasons he recovers well during tournaments. Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Formula One racing car driver Lewis Hamilton (pictured) is one of many sports champions who eat a mostly plant-based diet. Photo:   Reuters

Nate Diaz has a mostly plant-based diet, and says you don’t need meat for post-workout recovery. Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Gwyneth Hung, senior physiotherapist at Matilda International Hospital in Hong Kong. 

Nutritional yeast is believed to restore white blood cells and help muscle recovery. Photo: Shutterstock

Sesame seeds have powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. Photo: Shutterstock

Ginger reduces muscle pain after workouts. Photo: Shutterstock

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties. Photo: Shutterstock

Drinking watermelon juice before a workout may help reduce muscle soreness. Photo: Shutterstock

US Open: Daniil Medvedev shatters Novak Djokovic’s calendar grand slam dream

Russia’s Daniil Medvedev celebrates his win over Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during their US Open men’s final at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in New York on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Tokyo Olympics: Naomi Osaka draws China’s Zheng Saisai, Novak Djokovic opens ‘golden slam’ drive against Hugo Dellien

Naomi Osaka practising for the Games at the Ariake Tennis Centre in Tokyo. Photo: AP

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 26: Saisai Zheng of China returns a shot to Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic during the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 26, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

(210712) -- LONDON, July 12, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with the trophy after winning the men's final match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Matteo Berrettini of Italy at Wimbledon tennis Championship in London, Britain, on July 11, 2021. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)

Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates winning championship point against Jennifer Brady of the United States during the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, in Melbourne, Australia. (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images/TNS)

Sport

Tennis


The team event will take place in Sydney from January 1-9, kicking off a bumper summer series of ATP and WTA tournaments, including the Australian Open
Djokovic had not publicly committed to attending tournaments in Australia, due to strict Covid-19 vaccination requirements



Novak Djokovic will lead Serbia into Group A, which will also features Norway, Chile and Spain.


Australian Open 2021

Novak Djokovic slated to play in Australia’s ATP Cup ahead of Australian Open

The team event will take place in Sydney from January 1-9, kicking off a bumper summer series of ATP and WTA tournaments, including the Australian Open Djokovic had not publicly committed to attending tournaments in Australia, due to strict Covid-19 vaccination requirements

The team event will take place in Sydney from January 1-9, kicking off a bumper summer series of ATP and WTA tournaments, including the Australian Open

Djokovic had not publicly committed to attending tournaments in Australia, due to strict Covid-19 vaccination requirements