Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic to begin campaign at Adelaide International

Adelaide: Novak Djokovic will begin his bid for a 10th Australian Open title at the Adelaide International, organisers said Wednesday, after the Serbian was granted a visa to enter the country . The world number five missed the opening Grand Slam of 2022 when he was deported over his vaccine status after a high-stakes legal battle. Australia has since lifted the requirement for visitors to show proof of Covid vaccination, and his three-year ban was overturned by the government in November . Djokovic said at the time it was a “a relief”. “The Australian Open has been my most successful Grand Slam.” he added. “I made some of the best memories there.” Djokovic will face a strong field from 1-8 January that also features Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, ranked six, seven and eight, respectively, along with two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray. His longtime-rival Rafael Nadal, the defending Australian Open champion, will instead use the United Cup , a new mixed teams event in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney, as his warm-up to the Grand Slam. Four of the world’s top 10 women will begin the year in Adelaide, with second-ranked Ons Jabeur, world number five Aryna Sabalenka, world number eight Daria Kasatkina and world number nine Veronika Kudermetova all entered. The field also includes two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and Grand Slam winners Bianca Andreescu and Jelena Ostapenko. “We are thrilled to confirm such a world-class lineup for week one of the Adelaide International,” tournament director Alistair MacDonald said in announcing the lineup for the ATP-WTA event. The Australian Open takes place at Melbourne Park from 16-29 January. Read all the Latest News , Trending News ,  Cricket News , Bollywood News ,  India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.