Now it’s official: Defending champion Novak Djokovic will not take part in the Australian Open. A man who was actually eliminated will start in his place on Monday.
Salvatore Caruso. That’s the name of the lucky tennis player who will take Novak Djokovic’s place at the Australian Open. The number 150 in the world moves up for last year’s winner Djokovic, whose appeal was finally rejected on Sunday, to the main field.
The organizers updated the schedule on Sunday evening and announced that they would respect the court’s decision. Caruso, who was actually defeated 4:6 and 3:6 by the Japanese Daniel Taro in the final qualifying round, now plays against the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic on Monday. The game will be played in the early hours of the morning German time (not before 7 a.m.) in the 1573 Arena.
Djokovic’s absence affects Zverev
Djokovic has already accepted the decision not to be able to take part in the first Grand Slam of the year, but has also expressed great disappointment (read more about this here). Incidentally, the tournament is no longer listed on Djokovic’s private official website.
Djokovic’s absence also affects Alexander Zverev. The German duel of the Olympic champion with Daniel Altmaier was moved from the Margaret Court Arena to the Center Court in the Rod Laver Arena. The opening game of the German number one will take place there as the second game of the night session (2nd game after 9:00 a.m. German time).
A total of eight German tennis professionals are in action at the start of the Australian Open. Former tournament winner Angelique Kerber will only start playing on Tuesday.
The first tennis grand slam of the year starts on Monday and ends on Sunday January 30th. With Novak Djokovic, last year’s winner is missing in the men’s category, while Naomi Osaka is fighting for the title defense in the women’s category.
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