Djokovic training with Medvedev after U.S Open defeat

World No.1 Novac Djokovic is training with Danill Medvedev ahead of his return to the court in November. The two ATP players who faced off in the U.S Open have been training together at Patrick Mouratoglou Academy.

Since their debacle in New York last month, Djokovic has stayed off the court. He was a no-show in the Indian Wells tournament. He withdrew from the tournament.

The four-time Grand Slam winner projected a lot of respect for Medvedev who denied him a fifth Grand Slam title. Didier Deschamps, France’s World Cup-winning head coach joined the duo after practice and posed for a photo with them.

Novack Djokovic with Daniil Medvedev after the U.S Open 2021 in New York. [The Guardian]

Djokovic Returns Makes A Comeback

After a month off the court, Djokovic will return for the Paris Masters slated for November 7. He will then play in ATP Finals in Turin and later the David Cup to end the season.

Meanwhile, Djokovic’s participation in the Australian Open 2022 Grand Slam remains in limbo due to conflicting quarantine requirements hitherto.

The world No.1 is urging tennis officials to speak in one voice and involves players in making decisions concerning the opening of the Grand Slam in Australia.

Australian Open

He told Tennis365 that he would hate a repeat of quarantine issues that dogged him this year. Djokovic says the quarantine experience is a nightmare he doesn’t want to battle.

The Serbian says tennis players remain in the dark about the opening Grand Slam in Melbourne next year. Conflicting statements about the requirements is making it even worse.

A statement by Scott Morrison, the Australian Prime Minister cites that all tennis players will have to quarantine upon arrival in Australia for 14 days. They will quarantine in a hotel.

The PM’s message follows leaked private emails sent to all WTA players. The email stipulates that those who’ve been vaccinated will move freely. However, the story is different for unvaccinated players who will undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine.

In addition, they will be subjected to regular testing after the two-week quarantine.

The confusion is further fuelled by Victoria Premier Dan Andrews who says unvaccinated players will not compete.

In light of this, Djokovic says he is not sure he would compete in the Australian Open.

Quarantine  Issues

“The main problem is that if you are on a plane with a person who is positive, whether you are vaccinated or not, you automatically have to go to the room for 14 days,” he told Blic.

This is reminiscent of what happened in 2021 where WTA players were forced into mandatory quarantine after travelling with COVID-19 positive players.

Novac Djokovic. [Supersport]

That happened to Viktor Troicki in January this year. Not only him, but also 70 players had to be quarantined. I talked to a lot of players and that is something that everyone has a bad memory of.

“I would like the players to unite a little more, whether through PTPA or something independent or through ATP or WTA, just so that in some way we are relevant in some decision-making process.

“Now, I feel like the players aren’t aware of anything at all. This isn’t much different from the past of how things were done, not just for Australia but for many other tournaments in general, not to go into details now. I don’t know if I’m going to Australia, I don’t know what’s going on. Currently, the situation is not good at all.”