“It’s one of the last weeks without Roger Federer,” says Dominic Thiem.

The 2021 Australian Open begins on Monday, February 8. Despite the difficulties dictated by the current Coronavirus pandemic, in fact, the tournament will not be postponed.

This was announced by Craig Tiley, number one in the Federation, after the positive case registered at the hotel where the athletes and staff are staying.

The participants, however, tested negative. “The chances of serious problems arising are lower,” said the president. At best, over the next several weeks, preventive measures could be toughened up to ensure that the competition runs safely.

For now, however, it will go as planned. Thus, 30,000 daily spectators will also be present in the stands. While waiting for the top 15, the men’s draw for the Australian Open 2021 has been held.

World number one Novak Djokovic will make his debut against France’s Jeremy Chardy in a bid to claim his ninth career victory at the tournament. In the second round, however, he could face Italian Stefano Travaglia, who will however have to face American Frances Tiafoe first.

A compromise that is certainly not easy. At number two, Rafael Nadal, on the other hand, will be the Serbian Laslo Djere. The trajectory of the Spanish must not hide particular pitfalls at least until the second round.

Austrian Dominic Thiem, finalist of the last edition and winner of the US Open 2020, will start his career in the match against Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year starting Monday, the current world No. 3 said the tennis world would breathe a sigh of relief and would be happy to see Roger Federer in action again at Doha.

Thiem on Roger Federer

“Everyone is happy to know that Roger Federer will return to Doha. So this is probably one of the last weeks that he hasn’t played, ”said Dominic Thiem.

Thiem added in a lighter tone that if Federer is not in the men’s draw, the players, especially the title contenders at Melbourne Park, will have a less powerful opponent to fear.

“A less strong opponent,” said the defending US Open champion. Although Federer resumed his preseason training in Dubai under the watchful eye of his coach and former Serbian player Ivan Ljubicic, he issued a statement days after training, announcing his retirement from the Australian Open.

This year is the first time since the Swiss Roger Federer has not participated in the first major tournament of the year since he participated in the Grand Slams.

–