Australian Open: Serbian players want to "avenge" and "make proud" Novak Djoković

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Miomir Kecmanovic

Photo: JASON O'BRIEN / EPA

Actually, Miomir Kecmanović should have challenged world number one Novak Djoković to a Serbian duel in the first round of the Australian Open.

But Djoković is not allowed to defend his title in Melbourne: The more than one-week posse for the unvaccinated superstar's entry permit ended with Djoković's expulsion and the return flight to Belgrade, where Djoković landed on Monday afternoon.

For Kecmanović, that meant moving from Center Court at Rod Laver Arena to an adjacent court, with lucky loser Salvatore Caruso as an opponent instead of Djoković.

The Italian defeated number 77 in the ATP world rankings in three sets (6: 4, 6: 2, 6: 1).

Serbs hope for reparations

"We said that we will give everything," said Kecmanović after the match.

"We'll try to avenge him in a way and make him proud." Djoković is the record holder with nine wins at the Australian Open, except for the superstar, there was no Serb on the seed list of the top 32 players in Melbourne.

"I know he's our best representative," Kecmanović continued. "So it's really a shame that he can't take part and represent Serbia." Serbian number two, Dušan Lajović, also praised Djoković and expressed his hope, "that this is just seen as a setback on his way to becoming the best tennis player of all time will."

Djoković is still one win away from being the sole record holder in Grand Slam tournaments. The 34-year-old is currently level with rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal with 20 titles, but has clearly been the most successful player of the trio in recent years.

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