Defending Champion Djokovic Snubbed From Official Australian Open Banner By Broadcaster

| by Nurein Ahmed

Novak Djokovic was surprisingly omitted from a social media poster meant to promote the 2024 Australian Open.

Djokovic, a 10-time champion of the Australian Open, is the overwhelming favorite to win the year's first Grand Slam at Melbourne Park, which begins on Sunday, January 14, 2024. He is the most decorated champion in the tournament's history.

But one of the major broadcasters for the 112th edition of the Australian Open, Eurosport, updated its cover photo on X (formerly Twitter) with a promotional graphic of the tournament without Djokovic in it. Instead, five players feature - three of whom have never won in Melbourne.

Two-time champion Rafael Nadal, who recently announced his long-awaited return to tennis, is included with five-time Australian Open finalist Andy Murray. A rather odd selection is that of Cameron Norrie.

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Defending women's champion Aryna Sabalenka and World No. 1 Iga Swiatek are the only WTA players on the social media banner. Djokovic's absence has raised many eyebrows, considering his record at the event and status as the World No. 1 and the most dominant player on the ATP Tour.

This is obviously not the first time it has happened. At this year's Wimbledon, the Serbian star was excluded from the official tournament poster before the organizers retracted and eventually squeezed him into the picture after the damage had been done.

The US Open also made a questionable move to snub Djokovic from the promotional poster on social media. After receiving endless criticisms from enraged Djokovic fans, they deleted the post.

For Eurosport, which is tailored to the needs of the British public (since the banner was from their UK account), it is understandable that they included two of their highest-ranked players for sentimental reasons.

But it is still mildly shocking that Djokovic had no place whatsoever in the graphic. Djokovic fans have not gone silent upon seeing the photo and have made their feelings clear from the responses in the tweet below.

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