TENNIS star Novak Djokovic is to compete in the Australian Open remotely via Zoom, it has been confirmed.
With Australia cancelling Djokovic’s visa for a second time ahead of his first match on Monday, the 34-year-old Serbian will work from home by playing all of his games over the video conferencing platform.
His agent said: “We’ll place a laptop on the court with the webcam facing his opponent, then he’ll dial in from the comfort of his sofa in Belgrade. It’s not an ideal solution, but this is what the new normal looks like.
“People in the room will throw balls at him and he’ll volley them right back at 125mph. It was either that or the whole competition would be conducted via email, which I think you’ll agree would be ridiculous.
“The only other solution would be to get vaccinated or fill out the correct paperwork ahead of travel. But if you’ve ever met Djokovic or seen him on TV then you’ll know that sane, rational behaviour is off the table.”
Ball boy Martin Bishop said: “It’s the laptop I’m worried about. If it freezes for a second and costs him a point then he’ll pulverise it with his racket.”
