It is well known, the misfortune of some is the happiness of others. The “forfeit” of Novak Djokovic, who saw his appeal against the cancellation of his visa and his expulsion from the country being rejected by the Australian Federal Court, benefits Salvatore Caruso, who will be able to integrate the main draw of the first Grand Slam of the season.
The Italian had failed in qualifying, beaten in the last lap by the Japanese Taro Daniel. But, with the decision against the world No. 1, he was drafted. A habit for the Sicilian. This is the 6th time in his career that he has been the lucky loser on the main circuit (Sofia and Antwerp in 2018, Estoril in 2019, Adelaide and Paris-Bercy in 2020).
At 29, he will participate in his 11th Grand Slam tournament, he who has never been further than the 3rd round, at Roland-Garros in 2019, where he was released by … Novak Djokovic, and at the US Open the following year (beaten by Andrey Rublev). Last year, in Melbourne, his career was stopped in the second round, after being eliminated in five sets by his compatriot Fabio Fognini despite a match point (4-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 , 7-6).
Today ranked at 150and place in the ATP rankings, Salvatore Caruso will enter the tournament on Monday against Serbian Miomir Kecmonovic (78and). An opponent he has only met once. It was, a year ago, already in Australia, at 3and round of the Melbourne 1 tournament and Caruso lost in three sets in just over three hours of play (7-6, 5-7, 7-5).
He will try to take his revenge and honor his lucky loser status, even if he is already insured no matter what happens with a check for around 65,000 euros.