Novak Djokovic will begin his Australian Open assault at the Adelaide International after the 21-time major champion was confirmed as part of a quality field to compete from January 1.

The Serbian, detained and then deported by authorities ahead of the Australian Open earlier this year, will be allowed back into the country after being granted a visa by the Australian government.

But the world No.5 won’t play at the inaugural United Cup after Serbia failed to qualify for the teams event, instead starting his year at The Drive in Adelaide.

World No.6 Felix Auger-Aliassime, No.7 Daniil Medvedev, No.8 Andrey Rublev, No.15 Jannik Sinner and two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray will also feature.

The combined WTA 500 and ATP 250 tournament will also welcome four of the world’s top 10 women – Ons Jabeur, Aryna Sabalenka, Daria Kasatkina and Veronika Kudermetova.

Djokovic will then shoot for his 10th Australian Open title and record-equalling 22nd grand slam victory when action begins at Melbourne Park on January 16.

But they’ll have to get through Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish 19-year-old finishing the year as the youngest ever world No.1.

Murray Wenzel
(Australian Associated Press)