Novak has his doubts on Aussie green light

SIXTEEN months after his last Wimbledon triumph, Novak Djokovic got to play in London again yesterday, across town at the O2 Arena. Yet it was renewed doubts about the viability of January’s Australian Open — the tournament he has dominated like no other — which were on the 33-yearold Serb’s mind. Melbourne has become Djokovic’s banker tournament — he has won it seven times. After beginning his ATP Finals campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman, he admitted he still does not know the structure of a 2021 season that is already fraught with problems. Fears are growing over the Australian Open’s status after Victoria’s state premier Daniel Andrews slapped down assumptions it will definitely go ahead. The politician was responding to a Tennis Australia announcement that all events in January will be restricted to Melbourne, Victoria’s capital city. ‘The notion this is all a done deal is simply wrong,’ said Andrews. ‘The public-health team needs to sign off on all of these arrangements and they are just not settled. ‘The Australian Open is a massive event. It’s an event that all of us love, but it comes at a time when the rest of the world is on fire.’ Djokovic conceded he does not yet know how the start of next season will play out. ‘It is challenging, I must say,’ he said. ‘I sincerely hope everything will happen as normal.’ Next up for the Serb in London is Daniil Medvedev, a 6-3, 6-4 winner over Alexander Zverev last night.