Jan 14, 2022 3 min read

What Grand Slam 'tennis laws' say about Djokovic withdrawal

With the Australian Open draw now released and the sporting world's focus shifted on the Novak Djokovic visa saga, a still possible visa cancellation and Djokovic's withdrawal from the Grand Slam will significantly affect the main draw according to the laws of tennis.

Beyond the personal loss, both financially and sporting, to Djokovic if he is unable to play, a withdrawal at this late stage will mean event disruption and commercial loss to Australian Open organisers due to his number 1 seeding and the significant interest the Serbian's tournament run, would garner if he is free to play.

Grand Slam Rules

The Australian Open tournament rules are applied per the International Tennis Federation 2022 Official Grand Slam Rule Book ('Grand Slam Rules'), including what those rules define as 'tennis laws' of which players can appeal disputes. The Grand Slam Rules outline the scenarios that would apply to Djokovic's withdrawal if and when that becomes a necessity.

If Djokovic's visa is cancelled and he is forced to leave Australia and withdraw from the Open- as he is the Number 1 seed, his withdrawal under the Grand Slam Rules takes on special significance. The effect on the main draw also depends upon whether Djokovic's withdrawal comes before or after the release of the Men's draw Order of Play, which would usually occur Sunday night (Melbourne time) before first-round play commences on Monday.

If the scenario plays out before Sunday night, then the Grand Slam Rules lead to Rule Z(2)(f), where if the number 1 seed withdraws, the 5th seeded player will move into Djokovic's (the top 4 player withdrawing) position in the main draw. Next, the 17th seed moves into the 5th seed's position, and taking the position of the 17th seed is the next highest-ranked player in the draw that is eligible to be seeded. Finally, a 'lucky loser'- a player who lost in the final round of main tournament qualifying- who is listed in order of possible entry takes the position of the player who was promoted to the final 32nd seed.

Supposing Djokovic was out and a second top-eight seed also had to withdraw prior to 48 hours before the tournament gets underway, for instance due to injury or COVID reasons. In that case, Australian Open organisers have the discretion to remake the main draw entirely.

If the Australian Government does not decide before Sunday night when the Order of Play is released but still elect to cancel his visa before his first-round match, his withdrawal would be treated differently under the Grand Slam Rules.

In a more straightforward process, Djokovic will be replaced by the first eligible lucky loser, and the rest of the draw will remain unchanged. Under the rules, this scenario can occur at any time until the first point is played in the withdrawn player's first match.

What does this mean for the main draw?

In more practical terms, here is what Djokovic's deportation and inevitable withdrawal would look like for the main draw according to the Grand Slam Rules:

If withdrawal is forced before Order of Play is released (as late as Sunday night Melbourne time)

Novak Djokovic SRB (1 seed) replaced by Andrey Rublev RUS (5 seed) v Miomir Kecmanovic SRB

Rublev replaced by Gael Monfils FRA (17 seed) v Gianluca Mager ITA

Monfils replaced by Alexander Bublik KAZ (highest-ranked player eligible to become 32 seed) v Federico Coria ARG

Bublik replaced by 'Lucky loser' v Qualifier (TBD Friday)

If withdrawal is forced after Order of Play is released for his first-round match

Novak Djokovic SRB (1 seed) replaced by 'Lucky loser' v Miomir Kecmanovic SRB

*The rest of the main draw will remain unchanged

If a withdrawal is forced any time after the first point is played in his first-round match (including subsequent rounds)

Although this scenario is quite unlikely once Djokovic has already commenced competing in the tournament (yet it would be more dramatic, which would fit the narrative of this saga). The Grand Slam Rules state Djokovic would be deemed a walk-over from his match, meaning his scheduled opponent for that round would automatically proceed to the next round. That would deny Djokovic not only the chance to compete for the title but lose prize money that exponentially grows with each round advanced, including a $2.785million(AUD) haul for the tournament winner.

The Grand Slam Code of Conduct also dictates that it is an offence for any player to withdraw, regardless of circumstances, after the withdrawal deadline (42 days prior to the first Monday of the tournament). For a number 1 seed the penalty for withdrawing is a $20,000 fine. Though Djokovic would have recourse under the Grand Slam Rules to seek a review of the provision of that fine.

If it comes to this though, it appears Djokovic will have bigger legal battles to fight as he is reported to be ready to again appeal in Court any further decision to cancel his visa.

ITF 2022 Official Grand Slam Rule Book