“If Novak Djokovic does not compete, it will be easier to win the Australian Open 2022”: Alexander Zverev »FirstSportz

Number 3 in the world Alexander Zverev had been waiting for his first Grand Slam title and had hit the wings many times but somehow failed to take center stage and lift the biggest prize in tennis. The Germans reached the final of US Open 2020 and despite winning the first two sets, lost the next three sets to the eventual champion Dominic Thiem.

Since he couldn’t make it to another final when he lost in the quarterfinals of Australian Open 2021, semi-final of Expansion Solutions in 2021 and US Open 2021 while making it to the 4th round of Wimbledon 2021. With another Slam scheduled for January 2022 in Melbourne, the German speaks of others’ chances in the event of the defending champion Novak Djokovic not play this year.

Since the Victorian government in Australia and the Australian Open organizers have announced that no unvaccinated person will be allowed into the grounds of Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne for the Grand Slam, even tennis players. , audience or staff, Novak’s involvement is questionable as the Serb refuses to comment on his vaccination status.

“I hope he can play. Because in the end, if he’s not competing, it’s easier to win the tournament. That is obvious. He is number 1 in the world so he should be there. Hopefully the Australian government will give an exemption or whatever they can do so he can get involved,” Zverev said in the hope of seeing his friend Djokovic again at the first Slam of the new season.

Novak Djokovic defeated Alexander Zverev in this year’s quarterfinals at the Australian Open

In the second meeting of the year, Zverev meets Djokovic in the quarterfinals Australian Open 2021 where Novak, the defending champion at Slams, won 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-4 7-6 (6) en route to a third consecutive title in Melbourne and a ninth overall at Australia. The Open title is also the 18th Grand Slam title of his career.

Zverev then announced the results at Tokyo Olympics 2020 in July of this year, where the Germans won a 3-set semi-final en route to the Gold medal while Novak also lost white in the Bronze medal match. The duo met again in the semi-finals of US Open 2021 where Novak won again in 5 sets and then Zverev won the semi-finals at ATP Finals 2021 ended Novak’s great season with a defeat.

Zverev will now play number 2 in the world and be the defending champion at the ATP Finals 2021, Daniil Medvedev with both players eyeing their second year-end Championship title.

Also read: “Hesitant” Novak Djokovic reveals whether he will play at the upcoming Australian Open 2022