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- Rafa terrorizing tournament staff with his warm-up routine.
- Former tennis star Roger Federer speaks during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Tokyo on Nov. 17, 2022. (Photo by Kyodo News via Getty Images).
- Andy Murray's Bag Goes Flying in the Wind! The moment Andy Murray's racquet bag went flying in the wind during his semifinal against Tomas Berdych in the 2012 US Open.
- Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Daniil Medvedev: EPIC Tiebreak From Court Level! | Nitto ATP Finals 2022.
- Introducing the youngest Year-End No. 1 in history (and our champion): @carlosalcaraz 🙌
- Stefanos Tsitsipas wins a thriller at the #NittoATPFinals!
- Rafa ends his season with a win in Turin.
- Salute to another incredible season from the great @RafaelNadal 👏 🔹 Won his 21st & 22nd Slams 🔸 Went 22-1 in Slam matches 🔹 Captured 4 titles (career total to 92).
- Tsitsipas Wins Turin Thriller, Sets Rublev Blockbuster.
- Alcaraz hails 'great achievement' at finishing youngest ever world number one.
11/17/2022
11/16/2022
Qualification: Nitto ATP Finals 2022.
Singles
Eight players compete at the tournament, with two named alternates. Players receive places in the following order of precedence:[3]
- First, the top 7 players in the ATP Race to Turin on the Monday after the final tournament of the ATP Tour. In 2022, the final tournament was Paris Masters.
- Second, up to two 2022 Grand Slam tournament winners ranked anywhere 8th–20th, in ranking order
- Third, the eighth ranked player in the ATP rankings
In the event of this totaling more than 8 players, those lower down in the selection order become the alternates. If further alternates are needed, these players are selected by the ATP.
Provisional rankings are published weekly as the ATP Race to Turin, which only counts events played in 2022.[4] Points are accumulated in Grand Slam, ATP Tour, ATP Cup, ATP Challenger Tour and ITF Tour tournaments. Players accrue points across 19 tournaments, usually made up of:
- The 4 Grand Slam tournaments
- The 8 mandatory ATP Masters 1000 tournaments
- The best results from any 7 other tournaments that carry ranking points (ATP Cup, Monte-Carlo Masters, ATP 500, ATP 250, Challenger, ITF)
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Djokovic eases into semifinals with victory over Rublev.
TURIN, Italy — Five-time champion Novak Djokovic eased into the final four of the ATP Finals with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Andrey Rublev.
It took the seventh-seeded Djokovic just 68 minutes to see off Rublev and make it two wins out of two in Turin to qualify for his 11th semifinal in 15 appearances at the year-end tournament.
Djokovic is aiming to equal Roger Federer’s record six titles at the event. His last victory came in 2015.
In a first set dominated by serving on the fast indoor court, the first break point didn’t come until the final game and when Djokovic hit a return down the line to take the opener, Rublev threw his racket down in frustration.
Djokovic broke early in the second set and took a 3-0 lead with no way back for Rublev. The Russian won two points in the final two games as Djokovic broke again and went on to take the match.
Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the players’ opening match. Tsitsipas was playing later against Daniil Medvedev, who also lost his Red Group opener.
Top-seeded Rafael Nadal was eliminated after his second loss of the tournament, while Casper Ruud booked his place in the semifinals. Felix Auger-Aliassime and Taylor Fritz will play each other, with the winner set to secure the other semifinal spot from Green Group.
https://sports.yahoo.com/djokovic-eases-semifinals-victory-over-191541901.html
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Nadal out of ATP Finals after loss; Ruud through to semis.
TURIN, Italy – Rafael Nadal’s error-strewn performance saw him eliminated from the ATP Finals, missing out once again on adding one of the few major trophies still missing from his glittering list of titles.
The top-seeded Nadal lost 6-3, 6-4 to tournament debutant Felix Auger-Aliassime to leave him with two straight group-stage defeats in Turin. That result coupled with a victory for third-seeded Casper Ruud over Taylor Fritz in the later match meant a swift exit for Nadal.
Ruud became the first player to book a spot in the semifinals.
It also meant that Carlos Alcaraz is guaranteed to end the year ranked No. 1 and the Spanish player will travel to Turin to attend a special ceremony on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old Nadal has now lost four straight matches for only the second time in his career, following defeats at the U.S. Open and Paris. After starting the season by winning the Australian Open and French Open to take his tally of Grand Slam titles to a record 22, Nadal has played just eight singles matches since having to withdraw from the Wimbledon semifinals with an injury.
“Couple of positive things. I was able to play two tournaments in the past three weeks. That’s the positive thing, something that I was not able to do for a while,” Nadal said. “I don’t think I forgot how to play tennis, how to be strong enough mentally. I just need to recover all these positive feelings and all this confidence and all this strong mentality that I need to be at the level that I want to be.
“I don’t know if I going to reach that level again. But what I don’t have any doubt is that I (am) going to die for it.”
Nadal was beaten by eighth-seeded Fritz of the United States in their opening match on Sunday.
The fifth-seeded Auger-Aliassime also lost his opener, to Ruud, and so Tuesday’s match was crucial to both players’ hopes of staying in the tournament.
The turning point came in the eighth game. Nadal was 40-0 up on his serve but two double-faults and a string of errors handed Auger-Aliassime the first break of the match.
Nadal had already wasted four break points, including two in the first game.
Auger-Aliassime served out for the set and went on to break Nadal’s serve again in the third game of the second set. The Canadian sealed the match at his first opportunity when Nadal hit a return into the net.
“I wasn’t sure If I would be here one day or if I could only dream of it,” said Auger-Aliassime of his first victory over Nadal in three attempts.
“The age difference is huge, and it proves what a champion he is and what an example because he is still here at 36, battling against guys in their young 20s. He is a great champion and has a great attitude.”
Nadal has never won the ATP Finals title in 10 attempts. He finished runner-up in 2010 and 2013.
Nadal needed Fritz to beat Ruud in two sets to have any chance of reaching the semifinals and that hope was dashed when the Norwegian won 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (6).
https://sports.yahoo.com/nadal-atp-finals-loss-ruud-041502566.html
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Tom Brady, Stephen Curry, Shaq and Naomi Osaka among celebrities sued in class-action crypto lawsuit.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and a number of other big-name sports celebrities, including Stephen Curry and Naomi Osaka, were named as defendants in a class-action crypto lawsuit filed in Florida on Tuesday.
The class-action suit was filed against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried and a number of celebrities who endorsed FTX, a crypto trading company. In addition to Brady, Curry and Osaka, Shaquille O'Neal, David Ortiz, Shohei Ohtani, Trevor Lawrence and Udonis Haslem are all named as defendants. Brady's ex-wife and supermodel Gisele Bundchen, comedian Larry David and "Shark Tank" personality Kevin O'Leary are also named in the suit, as are the Golden State Warriors, a prominent partner of FTX.
The suit alleges Bankman-Fried and those celebrities promoted and encouraged others to invest in FTX, which the lawsuit describes as a "fraudulent scheme." The lawsuit claims FTX was "designed to take advantage of unsophisticated investors from across the country, who utilize mobile apps to make their investments."
FTX filed for bankruptcy and Bankman-Fried resigned as the company's CEO on Nov. 11. A day prior to announcing FTX's bankruptcy, Bankman-Fried sent out a multi-tweet thread on Twitter. It began with Bankman-Fried apologizing and saying he, "F***ed up, and should have done better." He also referred to himself as, "Not a good dev."
The lawsuit seeks $11 billion in damages.
Tom Brady appeared in FTX advertisement with Gisele Bundchen
Brady, and all the other celebrities mentioned in the suit, are being sued for promoting FTX. Every celebrity mentioned appeared in some type of ad for FTX. Larry David's FTX ad was shown during the Super Bowl.
Brady and Bundchen did an ad together which features them trying to recruit people to use the company.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday, so it will be some time before it is determined whether FTX owes consumers $11 billion, or an additional amount. It's also unclear how much, if any, damages Brady and the other celebrities will pay to consumers.
There's a chance that number will be zero. Even if that's the case, FTX's failure is yet another example that fans shouldn't get financial advice from NFL stars.
https://sports.yahoo.com/tom-brady-stephen-curry-shaq-and-naomi-osaka-among-celebrities-sued-in-class-action-crypto-lawsuit-181117155.html
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Family Fun Motivating Djokovic In Turin. Serbian's family are supporting him in Turin.
It has been a family affair for Novak Djokovic this week at the Nitto ATP Finals, where his wife Jelena and children Stefan and Tara are supporting the Serbian in Turin.
With a semi-final spot on the line at the prestigious year-end event on Wednesday, the Serbian put on a show for his son and daughter, who cheered their father to victory against Andrey Rublev.
“I think it is probably the first match that both my daughter and son, and of course my wife, have watched the entire match from the first to the last minute," Djokovic said. "We played for just over an hour. It is so great to have them. For me, that is one of the biggest motivational factors that I have right now competing at the highest level. Having them courtside, watching and celebrating, hopefully with me.”
Djokovic’s son Stefan grabbed the spotlight earlier this year at Wimbledon when he showed off his skills on the practice court alongside his dad and coach Goran Ivanisevic. The former World No. 1 revealed that Stefan has loved the opportunity to spend time on Tour again this week in Turin.
“My son is playing tennis, he's eight years old now and he's aware of what is happening, who is who,” Djokovic said. "He just loves going around, getting signatures, playing some tennis, assisting Goran with the ball picking, then coaching on the warmup sessions and training sessions when I'm on the court.
“He loves to be around and for him this is a unique experience and for my daughter, of course, and for me. I am really grateful to have them around.”
You May Also Like: Djokovic On Son Stefan: 'He's In Love With Tennis Right Now'
Back in 2008, a then-21-year-old Djokovic captured his first title at the Nitto ATP Finals when he triumphed in Shanghai. Fourteen years on and the Serbian is aiming to tie Roger Federer’s record six Nitto ATP Finals titles at year-end event.
“Making history in this sport is always a big motivational factor for me,” Djokovic said earlier this week. “It doesn't maybe necessarily affect the whole approach to the specific match because I'm experienced enough and I know myself well and what I need to do in order to prepare for my next challenge and next opponent.
“But of course I'm aware of the possibility to make history again. It is a great pleasure and honour to be in that position. So it does motivate me and inspire me to play even better tennis.”
If Djokovic needed any extra motivation to move level with Federer, his children look to set to provide that in Turin.
https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovic-turin-2022-family-support
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Proud #Nolefam 😉 #NittoATPFinals | @DjokerNole
Proud #Nolefam 😉#NittoATPFinals | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/9IB8IYjMvz
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 16, 2022
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Wholesome moment 🥰 @DjokerNole | #NittoATPFinals
Wholesome moment 🥰@DjokerNole | #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/8glwi2A0ii
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 16, 2022
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TEEN SENSATION 👏 Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest player EVER to end the year as World No. 1!
TEEN SENSATION 👏
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 15, 2022
Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest player EVER to end the year as World No. 1! 💥 @PepperstoneFX | #ATPRankings | #partner pic.twitter.com/jIx8zjSJoI
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11/15/2022
What's on the line @ 2022 Nitto ATP Finals: Year end No. 1 rank and most year end titles. Another Federer record on the chopping block.
Most year end No. 1: Djokovic is not even in contention. Nadal is.
Year end titles:
| # | Titles |
|---|---|
| 6 |  Roger Federer |
| 5 |  Ivan Lendl |
 Pete Sampras |
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 Novak Djokovic |
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| 4 |  Ilie Năstase |
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🚨 UPSET ALERT 🚨 @felixtennis defeats Nadal 6-3 6-4 to capture his first victory at the #NittoATPFinals 💪
🚨 UPSET ALERT 🚨@felixtennis defeats Nadal 6-3 6-4 to capture his first victory at the #NittoATPFinals 💪 pic.twitter.com/IpKd4BcBe1
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 15, 2022
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🤜🤛 with the Class of '22 🎓
🤜🤛 with the Class of '22 🎓#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/W7vrpu3An1
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 14, 2022
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Djokovic & Nadal Swap Praise In Epic All-Eight Turin Interview.
Nitto ATP Finals competitors share unique interview
Eight champions, one unforgettable interview. That is what fans received Sunday when the ATP released an exclusive all-eight interview with every singles player competing at the Nitto ATP Finals.
Top seed Rafael Nadal and five-time season finale champion Novak Djokovic quickly praised one another, with the rest of the champions listening intently.
“I think I have to say to Novak, he’s able to be super professional, to control his body, to hold the passion. It doesn’t matter how things are going, he always keeps going until the end and that’s something very difficult, especially in a super long career after all the success,” Nadal said. “To keep having the passion and the love for the game, I think it’s something I admire a lot.”
Djokovic and Nadal have met a record 59 times (Djokovic leads 30-29) in their ATP Head2Head rivalry. Five of those clashes have come at the Nitto ATP Finals, with another battle possible later in the week in the knockout stages of the year-end championships.
“I am really privileged to have the rivalry that we had over the years,” Djokovic said. “I think we respect each other a lot and we push each other to the limit and kind of motivate each other to go even higher. It’s great to be part of that era.”
Photo Credit: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
It was clear the rest of the players in the room at the Gallerie d'Italia — all of whom are 26 or younger — were eager to hear what their legendary colleagues said. Casper Ruud explained the impact Djokovic and Nadal have had on him.
“Everything they have brought to the table and every match is pure passion,” Ruud said. "Them playing against each other was some of the most exciting things you could watch in sports in my opinion.”
Only one man will emerge the ultimate champion at the end of the week in Turin. Every match will be difficult, and the likelihood of smooth sailing is small. Djokovic found a succinct way to describe the rollercoaster that is the Nitto ATP Finals.
“You go from your lowest to your highest in one or two days,” Djokovic said. “It’s kind of a journey of the entire season congested in [eight] days. It’s quite a unique event.”
Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas are the three players in the field who have lifted the trophy at the season finale. According to Medvedev, the competitors must be on top of their game from the first point.
“For me it’s about beating the best players in the world, because there is no other tournament where first match straight away you’re going to play a Top 10 player. There is not one more tournament like this, and it’s tough,” Medvedev said. “You have to be at your ‘A’ game from the first match ’til the last one and that’s the toughest part, but that’s what you have to do to win.”
https://www.atptour.com/en/news/nitto-atp-finals-2022-all-eight-interview
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Rafael Nadal loses to Felix Auger-Aliassime, on brink of ATP Finals exit.
TURIN, Italy -- Rafael Nadal's error-strewn performance damaged his chances Tuesday of adding the ATP Finals trophy to his glittering list of titles.
The top-seeded Nadal lost 6-3, 6-4 to tournament debutant Felix Auger-Aliassime to leave him with two straight defeats in Turin.
Nadal, 36, has now lost four straight matches for only the second time in his career, following defeats at the U.S. Open and Paris.
It was Auger-Aliassime's first victory over Nadal in three attempts.
Nadal was beaten by eighth-seeded Taylor Fritz of the United States in their opening match on Sunday.
The fifth-seeded Auger-Aliassime also lost his opener, to Casper Ruud, and so Tuesday's match was crucial to both players' hopes of staying in the tournament.
The turning point came in the eighth game. Nadal was 40-0 up on his serve but two double faults and a string of errors handed Auger-Aliassime the first break of the match.
Nadal had already wasted four break points, including two in the first game.
Auger-Aliassime served out for the set and went on to break Nadal's serve again in the third game of the second set. The Canadian sealed the match at his first opportunity when Nadal hit a return into the net.
Nadal could be eliminated from the tournament later unless Fritz beats the third-seeded Ruud in two sets.
Nadal has never won the ATP Finals title in 10 attempts. He finished runner-up in 2010 and 2013.
https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/35032090/rafael-nadal-loses-felix-auger-aliassime-brink-atp-finals-exit
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Pickleball, the popular sport catching the eye of tennis star Sloane Stephens.
Everyone hears about pickleball the same way. Just ask 2017 U.S. Open champion, Sloane Stephens.
“I was watching Tennis Channel and I was looking for a match that was happening live and it wasn’t on, it was live pickleball and I was like, ‘What is this? Why is this on right now? Why is tennis not on?” Stephens told NBC. “So that’s how I first heard about it and obviously now everyone plays pickleball.”
Pickleball – a combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong – has appealed to over 4.8 million players since its inception in 1965. A lot of the sport’s popularity has to do with its short learning curve, low startup costs, and its accessibility to players of all ages and fitness levels.
“The game is faster, shorter court, shorter time, anyone can really play, you don’t have to run that much,” Stephens said. “There’s a lot of exciting variables about it but I think people just enjoy it.”
Tennis and pickleball have a lot of similarities but they have one major difference. While the average length of a tennis match is 90 minutes, a pickleball game can last for about 15 to 25 minutes.
“I'm used to playing a match where it's two out of three sets and obviously, the men play three out of five at Slams so it's very different in the timing of it,” Stephens said. “How one set to 15 can be a match, which I was like, ‘Why?’”
The sport now boasts thousands of pickleball tournaments around the United States, two professional tours and one professional league (MLP).
In 2021, MLP was created and is made up of 12 teams with each squad consisting of two men and two women. The league has some high-profile owners including Tom Brady, LeBron James, Drew Brees and Kim Clijsters.
There is also an impressive list of former professional tennis players that are making the transition to pickleball, including former world No. 1s Ana Ivanović, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and Carlos Moyá, among others. Who knows, maybe she will be the next big pickleball champ.
“I know a couple of pro tennis players that have gone pro in pickleball and they love it,” Stephens said. “It’s a great sport. So we’ll see. I’m not making any promises.”
Stephens, who was born in Florida, comes from an impressive family of athletes.
Her mother, Sybil, was enshrined in the Boston University Athletic Hall of Fame as the best swimmer in the history of the university.
John, her late father, was a Pro Bowl running back for the New England Patriots for six seasons starting in 1988. He was killed in a car accident at the age of 43.
Stephens reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 2 in 2018 and has one Grand Slam title under her belt -- the U.S. Open.
Although tennis has brought Stephens much success in her career, you never know what may be on the horizon for the 29-year-old star as tempting opportunities from pickleball are on the rise.
https://sports.yahoo.com/pickleball-popular-sport-catching-eye-160000765.html
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Djokovic beats Tsitsipas for 9th straight time at ATP Finals. Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas for the ninth straight time by 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the players’ opening match at the ATP Finals on Monday.
Djokovic has beaten Tsitsipas in his third straight tournament following wins in Astana, Kazakhstan and at the Paris Masters.
“All the matches we’ve played have been decided by two or three points and that was again the case tonight,” Djokovic said.
He broke Tsitsipas in the opening game and held from there to close out the first set.
“A break in these conditions is decisive,” Djokovic said of the fast indoor court.
A cross-court backhand passing shot winner that landed on the line helped Djokovic move ahead in the second-set tiebreaker.
Tsitsipas won two of his first three career matches against Djokovic but hasn’t beaten the 21-time Grand Slam winner in more than three years.
Earlier, Andrey Rublev won a 37-shot rally on his fifth match point to seal a 6-7 (7), 6-3, 7-6 (7) win over fellow Russian Daniil Medvedev in the other Red Group match.
Following his win, Rublev wrote “Peace, Peace, Peace, All we need,” on a TV camera lens in an apparent reference to the war in Ukraine.
Rublev and Medvedev – along with all Russian and Belarus tennis players – have been competing without their flag or country next to their names as part of widespread sports sanctions due to Russia’s war with Ukraine.
Rublev made a similar appeal in February, writing “No war please” on a TV camera lens shortly after Russia’s invasion.
His latest appeal comes following Russia’s withdrawal from the Ukrainian city of Kherson, one of Ukraine’s biggest successes in the nearly nine-month war.
On Sunday, Taylor Fritz beat Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud defeated Feliz Auger-Aliassime in the Green Group.
https://sports.yahoo.com/djokovic-beats-tsitsipas-9th-straight-044159130.html
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Nadal ready 'to die' to return to his tennis peak.
Rafael Nadal says he is "going to die" trying to return to the level of tennis that saw him capture a record 22 Grand Slam singles titles after his hopes of a first ever ATP Finals title and becoming year end world number one were all but extinguished on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old Spaniard was speaking after a 6-3, 6-4 loss to Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime in Turin.
Nadal has lost both his matches in Turin -- he fell to Taylor Fritz on Sunday -- and will need to win his last Green Group match against Casper Ruud to keep alive his chances.
Even then it might be out of his hands.
Ruud -- who beat Auger-Aliassime in their opening clash -- faces Taylor Fritz later on Tuesday and according to the ATP needs just to win a set in that match to eliminate Nadal.
That would confirm Nadal's teenage compatriot, US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz, as year-ending world number one.
"I mean, I don't think I forget how to play tennis, how to be strong enough mentally," said Nadal, who was playing in just his third singles match since the US Open in September.
"I just need to recover all these positive feelings and all this confidence and all this strong mentality that I need to be at the level that I want to be.
"And I don't know if I am going to reach that level again. But what I don't have any doubt, that I going to die for it."
Nadal -- who has nevertheless won the Australian Open and French Open this year -- praised 19-year-old Alcaraz, who is not able to play in Turin due to an abdominal injury.
"Just well done for Carlos in this case," said Nadal.
"Happy for him. Big achievement for him. Well done. Great news for our sport in Spain. He deserved it after a great season."
- 'Very special' -
Nadal's rustiness showed against Auger-Aliassime, who is in the form of his life having won three titles in October.
"It is great to win against him, and stay alive in the tournament!" said Auger-Aliassime.
"I have played some great tennis in the past month and to then beat a player of his stature is very special."
Nadal spurned all four of his break points in the first set, though his 22-year-old Canadian opponent produced two superb forehands to stave off a break at 3-3.
Auger-Aliassime by contrast made no mistake breaking the Spaniard with the only one he was offered.
The Canadian was equally clinical when he was presented with two set points converting the first of them.
Nadal fared little better in the second set, as the lack of competitive matches showed - he had taken a break to spend time with his son, who was born in October.
Auger-Aliassime took the match by the scruff of the neck as he broke Nadal at 1-1, the Spaniard sending a loose volley long.
Auger-Aliassime was hitting the ball with sublime accuracy and could afford a rueful smile when one did not go as smoothly, flying upwards into the roof of the indoor arena.
Nadal had few chances to put Auger-Aliassime under pressure with the Canadian playing so well but he had a break point -- the first of the second set for him -- on his rival's serve at 2-3.
However, once again he was unable to seize it and Auger-Aliassime went on to hold his serve and was never troubled from that point on, eventually closing out the match on the first of two match points.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nadal-ready-die-return-tennis-153145089.html
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Djokovic set to be granted visa to play Australian Open.
MELBOURNE, Australia – Novak Djokovic is set to be granted a visa to play in next year’s Australian Open despite his high-profile deportation in January.
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Tuesday said it had confirmed newspaper reports that the immigration minister had overturned a potential three-year exclusion period for Djokovic.
The Australian Border Force has previously said an exclusion period could be waived in certain circumstances – and that each case would be assessed on its merits.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles’ office declined comment on privacy grounds, meaning any announcement on Djokovic’s visa status would have to come from the 35-year-old Serbian tennis star.
The 21-time Grand Slam singles champion wasn’t allowed to defend his Australian Open title this year after a tumultuous 10-day legal saga over his COVID-19 vaccination status that culminated with his visa being revoked on the eve of the tournament.
Djokovic arrived at Melbourne Airport as the world’s top-ranked tennis player with a visa he’d obtained online and what he believed to be a valid medical exemption to the country’s strict laws for unvaccinated travelers because it was endorsed by Tennis Australia and the government of Victoria state, which hosts the tournament.
Confusion reigned, generating global headlines. As it transpired, that medical exemption allowed him entry to the tournament, which required all players, fans and officials to be vaccinated for the coronavirus, but not necessarily to enter the country. It was rejected by the Australian Border Force.
Alex Hawke, Australia’s immigration minister at the time, used discretionary powers to cancel Djokovic’s visa on character grounds, stating he was a “talisman of a community of anti-vaccine sentiment.”
Australia has had a change of government and changed its border rules this year and, since July 6, incoming travelers no longer have to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccinations. That removed the major barrier to entry for Djokovic.
It allowed him to apply to new Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to reconsider his visa status. In his favor, Djokovic left Australia quickly after his visa was revoked and has not publicly criticized Australian authorities.
As the Department of Home Affairs website explains, applicants in Djokovic’s circumstances must explain in writing to Australia’s border authorities why the exclusion period should be put aside – “you must show us that there are compassionate or compelling circumstances to put aside your re-entry ban and grant you the visa.”
Djokovic indicated Monday at the ATP Finals in Italy that his lawyers were communicating with the Australian government with a view to him contesting the Jan. 16-29 Australian Open.
https://sports.yahoo.com/djokovic-set-granted-visa-play-162913335.html
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11/13/2022
Format: Nitto ATP Finals 2022.
The ATP Finals group stage has a round-robin format, with eight players/teams divided into two groups of four and each player/team in a group playing the other three in the group.
The eight seeds were determined by the ATP rankings and ATP Doubles Team Rankings on the Monday after the last ATP Tour tournament of the calendar year.
All singles matches, including the final, were best of three sets with tie-breaks in each set including the third. All doubles matches were two sets (no ad) and a Match Tie-break.
In deciding placement within a group, the following criteria were used, in order:
- Most wins.
- Most matches played (e.g., a 2–1 record beats a 2–0 record).
- Head-to-head result between tied players/teams.
- Highest percentage of sets won.
- Highest percentage of games won.
- ATP rank after the last ATP Tour tournament of the year.
Criteria 4–6 were used only in the event of a three-way tie; if one of these criteria decided a winner or loser among the three, the remaining two would have been ranked by head-to-head result.
The top two of each group advanced to semifinals, with the winner of each group playing the runner-up of the other group. The winners of the semifinals then played for the title.
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