Novak Djokovic Included in Australian Open Draw

Djokovic’s status for the tournament was up in the air amid his COVID-19 controversy, but the nine-time champion will get a chance to defend his title.

Amid uncertainty regarding his eligibility to participate in this year’s event, Novak Djokovic was included in Thursday’s Australian Open draw. He will face Miomir Kecmanović as he begins his title defense.

Top seed and nine-time #AusOpen champion 🇷🇸 @DjokerNole begins his title defence against Miomir Kecmanovic.#AO2022 pic.twitter.com/96MAlHNElG

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2022

The Australian Open delayed its draw by more than an hour Thursday amid uncertainty over his visa status, which had remained up in the air after his visa was initially canceled, and he was barred from entering the country by the Australian Border Force. Reports surfaced that the tennis star had attended public events after testing positive for COVID-19, though he had checked a box stating he had not traveled in the last 14 days despite being seen in Spain and Serbia during the time period, per the Associated Press.

Djokovic is a nine-time Australian Open champion and has won each of the last three tournaments. He's tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the most career men's Grand Slam titles with 20.