Tennis LIVE: Novak Djokovic risks causing a stir as world No.6 pulls out of Paris Masters
The Paris Masters is underway with Novak Djokovic among the headline acts on day two of the tournament. The 10th seed joins third seed Ben Shelton and ninth seed Rafael Jodar as some of the big names in action in the French capital today. Before taking to the court, Djokovic risked causing a storm by declaring his opposition to the Serbian government, saying: “I have always represented my people and not the government.” But there has been drama in Paris too, with world No.6 Flavio Cobolli one of three last-minute withdrawals.
Three lucky losers drafted in
With the news that Flavio Cobolli, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina all won’t play in Paris, their replacements have been confirmed.
Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante has been drafted in for Cobolli but gets a first-round bye.
The lucky loser will play the winner of the Jan-Lennard Struff vs Arthur Gea match.
Adolfo Daniel Vallejo replaces Tsitsipas and will take on American Learner Tien today.
While Nuno Borges takes Davidovich Fokina’s spot and will face Moise Kouame today.
Three big names withdraw
World No.6 Flavio Cobolli is not the only big name to pull out of the Paris Masters in the last 24 hours.
Cobolli, who retired against Matteo Berrettini in Vienna last week, said: “I was really hoping I’d make it.
“Today, after media day, I tried to work out at the gym, but I’m still feeling a bit sore and I don’t want to risk it. That’s why I decided not to play here in Paris.”
Now, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina have also withdrawn.
Tsitsipas was due to play 15th seed Learner Tien while Davidovich Fokina would have faced Moise Kouame in the first round.
Novak Djokovic risks backlash
Novak Djokovic has spoken out after former Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat to a student-led protest movement in snap parliamentary elections.
Last week, Djokovic praised the Student List for creating a “sense of pride” in Serbia.
It comes a year after the 39-year-old and his family left his hometown of Belgrade for Athens, Greece.
Although Djokovic never publicly spoke out against Vucic or his party, the 39-year-old was said to be a target for the Serbian government.
And Djokovic has now seemingly confirmed that he was at odds with Vucic’s leadership. He said: “I have always represented my people and not the government.”
Asked what it felt like to be criticised by those in power in Serbia, Djokovic added: “Yeah, look, I’m not gonna discuss or comment on the past.
“You know, past is past. Hopefully this is a fresh start for the country.
“Yes, I am patriotic, but I have always represented my people and not the government. There is a big difference in that.
“Yeah, so I’m happy with these changes, and hopefully, you know, things will be great and prosperous for our country in the future
