Djokovic, still in limbo, tops Aussie Open draw

Novak Djokovic now knows he’ll face fellow Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round of his Australian Open title defense — if Djokovic is allowed to play in Melbourne.

Djokovic’s visa status dominated attention until the moment the draw was conducted Thursday to determine the brackets for the men’s and women’s singles draws at the first major tennis tournament of 2022.

He was still in limbo after it. The Australian immigration minister still was considering whether to deport the nine-time and defending Australian Open champion, who is not vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Djokovic’s visa was canceled on arrival in Melbourne last week when his vaccination exemption was rejected, but he won a legal battle on procedural grounds that allowed him to stay in the country.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has been considering the question since a judge reinstated Djokovic’s visa last Monday. The tournament starts this Monday.

If he’s allowed to stay, Djokovic’s bid for a men’s record 21st major title could mean a quarterfinal against No. 7-ranked Matteo Berrettini and possibly a semifinal against Rafael Nadal or third-seeded Alexander Zverev.

Daniil Medvedev, who ended Djokovic’s run at a calendar-year Grand Slam by beating him in last year’s U.S. Open final, is on the opposite end of the draw as the No. 2 seed in Australia. A finalist in Melbourne last year, Medvedev could meet Nick Kyrgios in the second round, and also No. 5 Andrey Rublev, No. 9 Felix Auger-Aliassime, John Isner in his quarter of the draw. Mededev is seeded to meet No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semis.

On the women’s side, topranked Ash Barty and defending champion Naomi Osaka ended up in the same section of the draw, meaning two of the best players in the tournament could meet in a fourth-round match.

Osaka, who has been ranked as high as No. 1, slid down the list because of her lack of matches in 2021 and is seeded 13th.

French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova and No. 8 Paula Badosa are in the same half of the draw, along with 2020 champion Sofia Kenin, who has a tough opener against fellow American Madison Keys and could meet No. 18 Coco Gauff in the third round.

In the other half of the draw, No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka is seeded to WTA Finals winner Garbiñe Muguruza in the semifinals.