Novak Djokovic Australian Open Odds: Will Djokovic Be Able to Compete?
Taking a look at Novak Djokovic's Australian Open odds and if he will be able to compete in the event after visa issues.
Matt O'Leary - January 5, 2022, 11:00 AM EST
2 minutesNovak Djokovic Australian Open Odds: Will Djokovic Be Able to Compete?
In just under two weeks, the Australian Open is set to get underway but there is a chance that one of the sport's biggest stars won't be able to be there. Novak Djokovic, the number one ranked player in the sport, and nine-time winner of the Australian Open may not be able to attend due to a visa issue.
For the back story here, Novak Djokovic is unvaccinated and under regular circumstances wouldn't be allowed into the country due to Australia's strict border requirements. Djokovic was a part of 26 players who applied for exemption.
Here's where it gets a little messy. The visa that Djokovic was trying to use to get into the country because the visa that he submitted does not permit medical exemptions for being unvaccinated.
Border Force contacted government officials to sponsor the visa but they refused to, stating that medical exemptions are a matter for doctors.
The Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison has made it clear that Djokovic will have to provide clear medical evidence that he can not be vaccinated in order to receive the same travel abilities as vaccinated people.
With his status up in the air, let's take a look at his odds for the event.
Australian Open Odds
Name | Odds |
|---|---|
Novac Djokovic | +150 |
Daniil Medvedev | +285 |
Alexander Zverev | +450 |
Radael Nadal | +1400 |
Stefanos Tsitsipas | +2300 |
Click Here For Australian Open Odds
Right now, even despite the inability to gain access to the country, he is the favorite. Daniil Medvedev, who has 13 titles to his name has the second-best odds to his name right now. Medvedev won the US Open in 2021 and actually fell to Djokovic in the final at the Australian Open in 2021.
The last person not named Novak Djokovic who took home the trophy at the Australian Open was Roger Federer in 2018. Federer is not competing due to recovering from knee surgery so there's a chance that we can see something very new in Australia this year.
*Update: Novak Djokovic's visa has been canceled and he will be leaving the country."
