Agency Report

Novak Djokovic was listed for a night match on Monday to open his Australian Open title defence, as he awaited a court decision on his appeal against deportation.

The world number one was scheduled to face fellow Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic in the second match of Monday’s night session when the delayed order of play for the opening Grand Slam of the year was finally published late on Sunday afternoon.

Djokovic, chasing a record 21 Grand Slam titles in Melbourne, has been in legal limbo as he fights against deportation from Australia over his stance on vaccination, with a court decision expected imminently.

Tournament organisers at Melbourne Park have been hamstrung by the Djokovic legal imbroglio and delayed the release of Monday’s order of play.

The tennis world was awaiting the outcome of Djokovic’s appeal after legal back-and-forth throughout Sunday over the Serbian ace’s anti-vaccine stance and his alleged risk to public order in Australia.

Djokovic has played Kecmanovic once before, winning in straight sets in Belgrade last year.