But not everyone will be there… Next week’s Australian Open will be missing a few high-profile names, but organisers talked it up while announcing a warm-up charity match between frenemies Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios on Friday night. Djokovic might like the court time in Melbourne, given he missed last year’s tournament after he was deported over his COVID vaccination status. This year, players who have COVID during the tournament will be allowed to play, Tennis Australia confirmed yesterday. Friday’s match also marks Djokovic’s first against Kyrgios since defeating him in last year’s Wimbledon final. At this year’s Aussie grand slam, the men are facing less competition than usual following Roger Federer’s retirement and world #1 Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal due to injury. On the women’s side of the draw, former #1 Naomi Osaka is the latest big name to pull out of the tournament.