Courtney Walsh

MELBOURNE (Reuters – Novak Djokovic could face hostility on court if he’s allowed to compete at the Australian Open, but a former member the Serbian team says the world number 1 is well-equipped for dealing with such hostile situations.

While Australia’s immigration minister considers cancelling Djokovic’s visa Wednesday, Djokovic continues his preparations to defend his title.

Djokovic announced last week that he was eligible for a medical exemption from playing despite not being vaccinated. This caused a lot of controversy in Australia which is currently fighting an Omicron wave infection and has more than 90% of its adult population double-vaccinated.

Craig O’Shannessy was a Djokovic strategy and tactical analyst. His fury is almost certain to be sounded by Melbourne Park’s crowds.

“It’s not going to happen to him,” he said to Reuters. He said that he had the mental toughness and experience, but this could be at a level we’ve never seen in tennis.

Djokovic may not find his dressing room the most comfortable.

The ATP states that 97 percent of top 100 male athletes are vaccinated. Tennys Sandersgren, the American world number 93, has opted out of the Australian Open due to the mandate for double doses.

Joao Sousa is the world number 140 and is trying to get into this week’s main draw. He said that it was hard for others to believe Djokovic can play without having been vaccinated.

Bolamarela, a Portuguese news website said that he could sympathize with his situation in Australia but that it was selfish of him to be the sole player not vaccinated.

It is difficult for players to understand that. Many of the players were unwilling to have their vaccines administered and had to accept that they would be allowed to participate in tournament play.

He is trying to find a way around these rules.

Marton Fucsovics was also disappointed to lose to Djokovic during the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

He said that the rules had been established months before, which was to vaccinate everyone, but Djokovic did not.” He spoke from Melbourne to Hungarian media.

“From his point of view, he wouldn’t have the right”

“THRIVES ON IT”

O’Shannessy claims that Djokovic learned techniques to deal with hostility while he was competing for the tennis title with Roger Federer or Rafa Ndal.

He said that no other person has ever been booed as much on the tennis court than him.

“He used to talk about how when people chant ‘Roger”, he will change the word Roger’ into ‘Novak, and he thrives from it.”

Djokovic faces an uncertain future, aside from distractions caused by legal matters. He will also have to curtail preparations for five-set tennis after being detained for five days.

The Serbian trained on Rod Laver Arena Wednesday for the second time. O’Shannessy stated that the 20-times major champion would gradually increase the intensity of the sessions.

He said, “He should take a few days to rebuild his consistency, shot tolerance and timing, movement, and timing.”

He will start with light hitting and then ramp up power and footwork by practicing sets. This builds a solid base to be ready to take on the first round.

Djokovic will start his Australian Open season without participating in any warm-up events, whether it be an ATP tournament or exhibition.

O’Shannessy was unsure that this would play a significant role, considering the fact O’Shannessy just lost out on the Grand Slam — O’Shannessy won three major titles while losing the other.

It would be irrelevant if he wasn’t in form. But he isn’t out of shape. “He almost won the Grand Slam in last year”, he stated.

Even though he did not win the Grand Slam, it was still one the most memorable years of our lives. He holds the 2021 success as a very important memory. That success is what he continues to enjoy in 2022.”

Nick Kyrgios from Australia has been a surprising ally to his former adversary over the past week. He also believed that Djokovic would still be as powerful if given the chance to play.

The Melbourne Park favorite said, “He’s going be very determined to do well and stick it all to everybody.”

He’ll be able to prepare for anything. He will find this just fuel to continue his preparations, according to my view.

It is not possible to be such a champion without being able overcome adversity.