Djokovic enters the picture with Nadal on his horizon

Novak Djokovic continues to deduct hours from the clock to play the Australian Open, which starts next Monday. The Serbian, who is threatened with deportation for not being vaccinated against COVID-19, He appeared this morning as the first seed in the draw for the painting and he already has his first rival: his compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic (78th). On the horizon, a hypothetical semifinal against Rafa Nadal.

In front of the voices that demanded a prompt decision of Alex Hawke, Minister of Immigration, on the Serbian visa (confirmed by a judge), before launching a draw that could be corrupted by a subsequent loss of the nine-time champion, this did not take place. Nor is expected today, as confirmed by a source from the federal government to ‘The Age’. Investigations into irregularities committed by number one to enter Australia continue. He lied when he said he did not visit a third country in the last 14 days when he was in Spain, participated in Belgrade in events without a mask or social distance on December 17 and 18 when he was supposedly infected with coronavirus since the 16th. And, in addition, his request for medical exemption could be submitted after the deadline.

The fact is that Djokovic, who trained normally at the Rod Laver Arena with Fede Coria, continues to gain time. With Nadal now sixth in the world after slipping down the rankings with his left foot injury, the draw saw him fall by his side. The two tennis players who are fighting for a 21 Grand Slam that will consecrate them at the top of tennis and They met for the last time in the semi-finals at Roland Garros with the Serbian victory. A shock with morbid, after the Spaniard warned about the Serbian’s decision: “The world has already suffered enough to not follow the rules and not vaccinating you can cause inconveniences.”

The possible Balearic route is very hard: 1st round, the American Marcos Giron (66th). 2nd: Kokkinakis or a tennis player from the previous one. 3rd Karen Khachanov. 4th: Hurkacz or Karatsev. Rooms: Alexander Zverev. Semifinal against the Serbian and final against Daniil Medvedev or Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Carlos Alcaraz will also pass through the upper part of Djokovic’s box (18 years old) making his debut as a seed. The Murcian, without prior filming, will debut against a tennis player from the previous one. In the second round, Lajovic or Fucksovic. In third, Matteo Berrettini and Djokovic would appear in the quarterfinals.

If the Australian government expelled Djokovic before there was order of play, the seeds would be relocated. If there was already a schedule, it would be replaced by a lucky loser (loser of the previous one), which would alter the picture a lot. The draw, amid uncertainty over Djokovic’s situation, was delayed by an hour and a quarter and tournament director Craig Tiley declined to answer questions after it. The tension is maximum as time runs.