Australian tennis legend Todd Woodbridge has reacted to Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open news as he believes it is “the best scenario for the tournament” to have the nine-time Australian Open champion compete in the tournament.
On Tuesday, Australian media reported that Djokovic’s visa ban is to be lifted and he will be allowed to compete at the Australian Open in 2023. “I think it’s the best scenario for the tournament because we want the best players play at the Australian Open.
Everything that the Open entails in terms of preparation, money, what it does to our reputation around the world, we want the best to be able to come here and be allowed to play. And considering Novak has won it nine times, he now comes in as heavy favorite after he hasn’t been allowed to play this year,” Woodbridge said on 2GB’s Wide World of Sports radio.
Djokovic, who holds the record for weeks at No. 1, is now No. 8 in the world. But for Woodbridge, he is still number 1. “In my opinion, this year’s ranking is very skewed. He is still World No. 1 and having him back is really important,” added Woodbridge.
Several factors have contributed to Djokovic now sitting at No. 8 in the world. For failing to defend his Australian Open points, Djokovic lost 2,000 points. Djokovic successfully defended his Wimbledon title, but still lost 2,000 points after ranking the ATP with drew.
Djokovic will be able to play in Australia
Novak Djokovic recently opened up about the unjust and harsh criticism he is subject to from the tennis media. “I know that people sometimes think I’m fake, that I do certain things because I want to be loved.
It’s not like that, I’m just trying to be genuine. It’s something we’re losing,” Djokovic said, adding, “It is not possible to please everyone but by now the politically correct forces us to give up expressing our ideas with respect, without hatred, but with freedom.
Freedom of speech for me today is just an illusion. I had an extraordinary example of this this year, with what happened to me around the vaccine issue. I expressed myself for the freedom to be able to dispose of one’s body, and immediately I was accused of being a no-vax, which I am not.
If you don’t belong to a certain way of thinking, you quickly become the bad guy. That’s no good,” he expressed.