Could Djokovic play in NZ?

Talks are underway to bring Novak Djokovic to the men’s ASB Classic, tournament director Karl Budge has confirmed.

The former world No 1 is attempting to make a comeback from an elbow injury, which has sidelined him since Wimbledon.

However, it appears he’s not yet over the injury and pulled out of playing in Doha this week.

This has led to speculation that he’ll miss the Australian Open, which takes place over the last two weeks of January.

However, Budge said he has been in touch with Djokovic’s people about playing in Auckland if he wants to get some matches before the Australian Open, subject to him being fit enough to play.

‘‘We’ve had an initial conversation there and a quick response, which is pleasing,’’ Budge said.

‘‘A let’s keep talking is better than a no. So we’re in a really good position, the men’s field is in great shape and we’re in a great space in general, in that anything from here is a second cherry on the top.

‘‘So we’ll wait and see over the next couple of days what things look like.’’

Budge added that the dialogue between the tournament and Djokovic will continue and if he comes it’s likely Tennis Auckland will need Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development to help contribute to any appearance fee.

This was also the case a couple of years ago, when it looked like being a possibility that Rafael Nadal could come back to Auckland.

However, while it would be expensive, it would put Auckland on news bulletins around the world.

‘‘You feel like a bit of an ambulance chaser,’’ Budge said.

‘‘The poor guy has just had the disappointment of pulling out of a tournament, the moment that happens you’ve got tournament directors saying what about us?

If he was to come, it would undoubtedly make it the best lineup ever for the tournament, with Jack Sock, Juan Martin del Potro and John Isner all confirmed.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is also interested in a wildcard and depending on results elsewhere, Tomas Berdych and Milos Raonic could be keen on coming to New Zealand.

Marcos Baghdatis is believed to be interested in coming and would like a wildcard, but could even enter qualifying at the Classic and make the trip anyway.

There is only one wildcard left available for the tournament with New Zealand’s Michael Venus and Wu Yibing, the 18-year-old from China who won the boy’s US Open this year and reached No 1 in the world as a junior, taking the others. Budge says he doesn’t feel like he went too early in giving a wildcard to Yibing.