In a huge boost for next year’s Adelaide International, former world No.1 Novak Djokovic has been locked in to play in the first week of the tournament.
Djokovic was controversially kicked out of the country last year and banned from playing in the 2022 Australian Open due not meeting Australia’s strict vaccination requirements at the time.
The 35-year-old Serbian was banned for three years, however the Federal Government had a change of heart on the decision to revoke his visa, meaning that he will now play in the first week of the Adelaide International on the 1st of January.
Djokovic is chasing his 10th Australian Open title next month and his 22nd Grand Slam overall.
With Djokovic signed on for next year it means eight of the world’s top 10 men and women will contest the first Adelaide International at The Drive from 1 to 8 January 2023.
The combined WTA 500 and ATP 250 tennis tournament will feature 21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, world No.6 Felix Auger-Aliassime, world No.7 Daniil Medvedev, world No.8 Andrey Rublev, world No.15 Jannik Sinner and two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray on the men’s side.
Four of the world’s top 10 women will begin the new year in Adelaide, with world No.2 Ons Jabeur, world No.5 Aryna Sabalenka, world No.8 Daria Kasatkina and world No.9 Veronika Kudermetova all entered.
The field will also feature former world No.1 and two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, as well as 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and Grand Slam champions Bianca Andreescu and Jelena Ostapenko.
Sabalenka is excited to visit Adelaide for the second year in a row.
“I really enjoyed my time this year in Adelaide,” Sabalenka said.
“The tournament is always very strong, and I know I am going to have some tough competition.”
Adelaide International Tournament Director Alistair MacDonald is pleased to see a strong field confirm their participation in the event.
“We are thrilled to confirm such a world-class line up for week one of the Adelaide International,” MacDonald said.
“The calibre of both ATP and WTA players who have entered ensures that tennis fans are going to see the world’s best in Adelaide ahead of the Australian Open.
“We are urging tennis fans to secure their tickets early to see what is shaping up to be one of the strongest fields we’ve seen here at The Drive, which is newly redeveloped.”
Adelaide Festival of Tennis
Sunday 1 to Sunday 8 January 2023 – Adelaide International 1
Monday 9 to Saturday 14 January 2023 – Adelaide International 2
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