Alexander Zverev, knocked down by Denis Shapovalov in three sets in the 4th round of the Australian Open 2022, again misses the opportunity to advance in the portion of the table left vacant by the world number one, Djokovic.
Rafael Nadal’s problem against Adrian Mannarino lasted one set, the first. We will therefore never know what would have happened if the French had not felt this pain in the adductor at the end of a very intense first set, which certainly made the Spanish champion tremble After a tie-break of thirty points (and in which he had to save himself four times), Rafael Nadal quickly unwound in the second and third set to advance to the quarter-finals.
Mannarino, who was returning from a marathon with Aslan Karatsev in the third round, couldn’t do more. Nadal thus reached the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park for the fourteenth time in his career (better than Roger Federer) and for the 45th Grand Slam time.
Ashleigh Barty won in straight sets against Amanda Anisimova. Victories also for Barbora Krejcikova, Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys. A few days after the event that held Australia, Serbia and the whole world in suspense, Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia, returned to comment on the problem Novak Djokovic experienced in Australia.
Tiley says the Serbian champion could return to Australia next year: “There may be a lot of talk, but our focus is on continuing this big event for a long time to come.
Novak will not sue Tennis Australia and he will be able to play the tournament again in 2023 if he wishes.” While initial rumors had it that Novak Djokovic’s presence at Roland Garros would be next to impossible, a recent analysis of the details, regarding the no vaccine in France shows that the native of Belgrade will be able to participate in the second Grand Slam of the year
Djokovic, defending champion, in Paris
The vaccination pass will indeed be valid for all people who have recovered from covid-19 after a maximum of six months.
In view of the official documents made public by the Australian Federal Court, Novak Djokovic contracted covid-19 on December 16 and will therefore be free to circulate in France at least until mid-June.
Remember that Roland Garros, this year, will be played from May 22 to June 5; and therefore, there should be no problem for the 20-time Grand Slam champion and reigning champion to attend.
