Turin, November 21

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is keeping the Australian Open organisers and his fans guessing about his Covid-19 vaccination status, adding to the uncertainty on whether he would compete at next year’s first Grand Slam.

After he lost to Alexander Zverev at the ATP Finals, the Serbian was asked to clarify his stand on the Covid-19 vaccine, and he said: “We’ll wait and see”.

The Australian Open director Craig Tiley has categorically stated that only fully vaccinated players will be allowed to compete in the tournament beginning January 17. Djokovic, the nine-time and defending Australian Open champion, has refused to divulge his vaccination status, or whether he intends to get vaccinated before the event.

“We’ll see. We’ll have to wait and see,” Djokovic said. “I haven’t been talking to them (Australian Open organisers), to be honest. I was just waiting to hear what the news is going to be and now that I know we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Djokovic is on the threshold of breaking a tie with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, all three of whom have won 20 Grand Slam titles each. — Agencies

Zverev stands tall

Turin: Germany’s Alexander Zverev beat Russian world No. 2 and defending champion Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-4 in the summit clash of the ATP Finals today to win the title for the second time in his career. Zverev, who also beat world No. 1 Novak Djokovic on Saturday, becomes only the fourth player to beat the top two players in the world in the semis and final of the season-ending tournament. “You keep talking about the perfect match... It was great. I mean in the final against somebody I had lost five times in a row, so I had to play one of my best matches,” said the 24-year-old Zverev, who has now won six titles in six finals this year. Reuters