ATP Cup LIVE: Big setback for ATP Cup, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic withdraws from the tournament, checky why?

ATP Cup LIVE – Novak Djokovic Withdraws: World No.1 Novak Djokovic has reportedly decided to skip the ATP Cup set to be held in Sydney next month. The competition which was introduced in 2020 serves as a warm-up for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open 2022 in Melbourne. Djokovic is the second high profile tennis star to withdraw from the tournament, with Dominic Thiem also withdrawing his participation earlier this week – Follow all Tennis News & LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN

Novak Djokovic Withdraws: As per reports, World No.1 Novak Djokovic has decided to skip the ATP Cup but still is practising to play at the Australian Open later next month. Djokovic however will be participating in the Australian Open as he aims to topple Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and clinch a 21st Grand Slam. The World No.1 led Serbia to win the inaugural ATP Cup in 2020. He had also participated at this year’s ATP Cup as well but Serbia failed to defend their title.

Per @jjmedic89, Novak Djokovic is not playing in the ATP Cup.

“Novak is not going to ATP Cup. He is practicing, but he’s decided to skip that competition”, said source close to Djokovic.

— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) December 25, 2021

Djokovic didn’t make any statements following the Davis Cup but days later he signed up for the ATP Cup and Australian Open. However, the 20-time Grand Slam champion has made a U-turn on that decision, withdrawing from the ATP Cup. “Novak is not going to ATP Cup. He is practising, but he’s decided to skip that competition”, said a source close to Djokovic told Jelena Medic of Blic.

Djokovic’s withdrawal comes in as doubts remain on his participation at the Australian Open 2022. Earlier, the Australian Open organisers had said that no “medical exemptions” would be granted to players unless there was a genuine reason. But on Wednesday, Tiley conceded that very few players would be given an exemption. The Serbian is reportedly a strong opponent of players being forced to get vaccinated to compete in tournaments and has not yet disclosed his vaccination status.

Djokovic is the second high profile athlete to pull out after Dominic Thiem released a statement saying that he won’t be leading Team Austria in Sydney. The 28-year-old has not competed on Tour since June when he suffered a right wrist injury at the Mallorca Championships. Austria remains in the ATP Cup despite Thiem’s injury.

In a social media post, Dominic Thiem wrote, “After not competing for the past six months, I can’t take the risk of coming back too soon and picking up a further injury… My aim is still to play the Australian Open but we will make a final decision about my participation by the end of December.”