"He would’ve won it this year if he was allowed to play" - Rusedski on Djokovic winning Australian Open 2022
ATP
Greg Rusedski believes that there is no doubt had Novak Djokovic played in the Australian Open 2022, the Serb would have won it.
Djokovic is a record nine-time champion at Melbourne Park, but was unable to defend his title this year because of his refusal to get vaccinated against Covid-19 - a prerequisite for entry into Australia.
The issue grew into a mammoth, global saga as Djokovic believed to have obtained a medical exemption to enter the country, only for the government to revoke his visa at the border.
Speaking on Amazon Prime Video, Rusedski - a US Open finalist himself - said, "No question about it. He would’ve won it this year if he was allowed to play. He’s won it nine times, that’s his best Slam. There’s no question about it. Djokovic is just a step up, he’s just a world class player, he’s got all the assets, he’s got everything you need".
It may be a contentious statement, given Nadal's form in Melbourne this year when he won his 21st Grand Slam title, but it is difficult to argue with.
Djokovic had come off the back of a season in which he won 26 out of a possible 27 Grand Slam matches, having just missed out on an historic calendar slam in New York. He would've entered the Australian Open as the three-time defending champion, having won the tournament nine times.
The frustrating nature of all this is that no one will ever know. Perhaps Djokovic would've suffered a shock early exit, or been undone by some of the stunning tennis that all four of the 2022 semi-finalists displayed. But it shall forever remain a hypothetical.
What is known, however, is that the 21-time Grand Slam champion has been cleared to return to his most successful major next year. As has been the case now for over a decade, he will surely be the favourite down under.
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