MY ACCOUNT
Andy Murray says there are “questions that need to be answered” by Novak Djokovic before the world number one plays in the Australian Open.
Frustrated by the Djokovic saga becoming a distraction, Murray wants the world number one to tie up loose ends at the earliest opportunity, so the tennis world can move on.
There remain grey areas surrounding the Serbian’s commitment to isolating after testing positive for COVID-19 on December 16 last year.
A maskless Djokovic was pictured at a Belgrade tennis club’s awards event on December 17, and L’Equipe has reported he took part in a photo shoot and interview for the French sports newspaper on the following day. It remains to be established whether Djokovic knew by that stage that he had returned a positive test.
The coronavirus infection allowed Djokovic to qualify for a medical exemption to play at Melbourne Park, and the 20-time grand slam winner confirmed on arrival in Australia that he is unvaccinated, before his visa was initially revoked.
It is not known what his plans would have been for the Australian Open had he not tested positive, as players are required by Tennis Australia to be either vaccinated or have a compelling case for an exemption.
Djokovic was released from a four-day detention in a Melbourne hotel following a court hearing on Monday, and long-time friend and rival Murray said: “It’s positive that he’s not in detention anymore. He won in court, so that’s a positive thing for him, and hopefully we’ll be able to concentrate on the tennis now.
“I think there is still a few questions that need to be answered around the isolation and stuff, which I’m sure we’ll hear from him in the next few days, but I’m obviously here to try and play and win tournaments.”
Australia’s immigration minister Alex Hawke could still cancel Djokovic’s visa on new grounds, meaning his participation at the year’s first grand slam, which begins next Monday, is not yet 100 per cent confirmed. The nine-time Australian Open champion will be seeking a record 21st men’s grand slam singles title if cleared to play.
Murray, who won in the first round of the Sydney Classic on Tuesday, is conscious of the Djokovic saga dragging on.
It was clear the Briton believes an important step forward is for Djokovic to answer journalists’ questions on the matter.
“It’s the first match that I have played here, or won here, in over three years, and this is where the situations like this are frustrating for players,” said Murray. “I want to come off and talk about my tennis and what’s happening there, not talking about situations like that.
“So I’m hoping that we can move on from it now. He won in court, which is good. It looks like he’s going to be able to play and compete in the Australian Open. We do want the best players there.
“But like I said, I think there is still a few questions to be answered. It’s up to the press to ask about that and for Novak to clarify, so let’s wait to see what he says.”
