Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic to lose World No 1 rank – Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic could lose his World No 1 spot if he is deported from Australia over visa issue. The World No 1 player has to defend his title in the Australian Open and if he is sent back, he will lose the points and the spot to Daniil Medvedev or Alexander Zverev. Follow Australian Open 2022 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Novak Djokovic has held the World No 1 spot for two years. However, if he is forced to withdraw without any medical exemption, he will lose protected ranking points. Furthermore, if Russian star and World No 2 Daniil Medvedev or No 3 Alexander Zverev wins the title, Djokovic will lose the No 1 spot. Medvedev or Zverev will become World No 1 if they win.
Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic can lose No 1 ranking to Daniil Medvedev if he is made to skip AO2022, check how?
Happy New Year! Wishing you all health, love & joy in every moment & may you feel love & respect towards all beings on this wonderful planet.
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 4, 2022
I’ve spent fantastic quality time with loved ones over break & today I’m heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let’s go 2022! pic.twitter.com/e688iSO2d4
Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic can lose No 1 ranking to Daniil Medvedev if he is made to skip AO2022, check how?
Novak Djokovic is currently detained in a Melbourne hotel by the Australian Border Force for visa issues. The Australian government claims that the Serbian provided incorrect documents while applying for visa with Covid-19 vaccine exemption.
Currently, the Australian government doesn’t allow unvaccinated people to enter the country without a valid medical exemption. Djokovic’s fate will be decided on Monday as his lawyers are fighting at a Victoria court.
Daniil Medvedev knows how big an opportunity this is for him as Novak Djokovic has won the season opener Grand Slam 9 times including the last three editions. He has 20 Grand Slams to his name and another Major will make him the greatest singles player of all time, surpassing Swiss great Roger Federer and Spanish great Rafael Nadal. All three are tied on 20 Grand Slams.
Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic can lose No 1 ranking to Daniil Medvedev if he is made to skip AO2022, check how?
Last season, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev ended his chance to win a Calender Slam and Golden Slam. Djokovic lost in the Tokyo Olympics with Zverev prevailing while Medvedev thrashed Djokovic in the US Open Final to end his chance to win Calendar Slam, all four majors in calendar year.
Medvedev knows the opportunity in front of him if Djokovic doesn’t play this month and admitted the absence of his rival will open up the draw.
“Yeah, if he won’t be there, that is minus one guy who has 20 slams, and that is a lot. When someone wins it nine times and he is not there, the draw opens up a little bit. That’s no secret,” Daniil Medvedev said.
Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic can lose No 1 ranking to Daniil Medvedev if he is made to skip AO2022, check how?
Novak Djokovic reclaimed the World No 1 spot after edging Dominic Thiem in a five-set thriller in the Australian Open in 2020. With his win, he surpassed Rafael Nadal to claim the top spot. With his major winning spree, the Serbian star passed Roger Federer for holding the No 1 spot. Djokovic is now holding the spot for a record 354 weeks.
Ranking |
Country |
Player |
Age |
Points |
Tourn Played |
Points Dropping |
1 |
Serbia |
Novak Djokovic | 34 | 11,540 | 14 | 665 |
2 |
Russia |
Daniil Medvedev | 25 | 8,640 | 23 | 0 |
3 |
Germany |
Alexander Zverev | 24 | 7,840 | 23 | 0 |
4 |
Greece |
Stefanos Tsitsipas | 23 | 6,540 | 26 | 0 |
5 |
Russia |
Andrey Rublev | 24 | 5,150 | 28 | 250 |
6 |
Spain |
Rafael Nadal | 35 | 4,875 | 11 | 250 |
7 |
Italy |
Matteo Berrettini | 25 | 4,568 | 21 | 0 |
8 |
Norway |
Casper Ruud | 23 | 4,160 | 35 | 130 |
9 |
Poland |
Hubert Hurkacz | 24 | 3,706 | 32 | 190 |
10 |
Italy |
Jannik Sinner | 20 | 3,350 | 42 | 0 |
Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic can lose No 1 ranking to Daniil Medvedev if he is made to skip AO2022, check how?