The 2022 Australian Open is currently underway, and it is happening after a very eventful week. World number one, Novak Djokovic, was deported to his home country of Serbia on Monday after his visa was cancelled for the second time.
Djokovic had entered Australia with a medical exemption to enable him to participate at the Australian Open. But inconsistencies in his visa application process caused him to be detained, and he was eventually ruled for deportation. He has also been banned from traveling to Australia for the next three years as a result of being deported. In a statement he released after the court ordered him to be deported, Djokovic regretted that the focus had been on him for the past week, and he urged fans to follow the event.
Spaniard Rafael Nadal started his Australian Open bid on a good note after defeating American Marcos 6-1 6-4 6-2. Nadal is currently the only men’s player to have won the Australian Open title participating at the event this year. The first and only time he won the title was in 2009, 12 years ago. He had been away from the sport for the second half of last year due to a foot injury. He would face Yannick Hanfmann next as he aims for his 21st Grand Slam title.
World number seven, Matteo Berrettini, overcame Brandon Nakashima in a game of four sets (4-6 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 6-3). The Italian had taken a medical timeout and commented after the game that he was “feeling sick with my stomach”. Berrettini is set to face Stefan Kozlov in the second round of the event.
German Alexander Zverev also had a good start to the event as he defeated countryman Daniel Altmaier 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 7-6 (7-1). Zverev had commented weeks ago that winning the Australian Open, in the absence of Djokovic, would see him become world number one, and it looks like he is set to achieve that feat. Other men who would be progressing to the next round include Denis Shapovalov, Gael Monfils, Tallon Griekspoor, and Hubert Hurkacz.
On the women’s side, Naomi Osaka started her title defence pretty well as she dominated Camila Osorio to a claim a 6-3 6-3 victory. World number one, Ashleigh Barty, used less than an hour to secure her first win at the event as she beat Lesia Tsurenko 6-0 6-1. Other women who qualified to the next round include Victoria Azarenka, Jelena Ostapenko, Maria Sakkari, Barbora Krejcikova, and Paula Badosa.
Written by: Leon Osamor
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