Novak Djokovic has been named in the Serbian line-up for next January's ATP Cup team event, raising firm hopes the world No. 1 will play in the Australian Open.
Organisers have trumpeted that 18 of the world's top 20 players will take part in the 16-nation tournament in Sydney from Jan. 1-9, with Djokovic leading the top-seeded Serbians.
Djokovic hadn't publicly committed to defending his Australian Open title at Melbourne Park or revealed his vaccination status, with a mandate that he be double-jabbed to play.
While the ATP Cup doesn't have the same entry criteria, his inclusion for the Open warm-up tournament means he now appears likely to chase a 10th crown.
To play without being vaccinated in Sydney, the NSW government would have to apply for an exemption for Djokovic and the 34-year-old would have to undergo 14 days quarantine upon arrival.
Australia has been included in pool B alongside defending champions Russia, and strong squads from Italy and Austria.
The Australians will be lead by Alex De Minaur, along with James Duckworth, Max Purcell, John Peers and Luke Saville.
The Russians will be spear-headed by world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev as well as Andrey Rublev, Aslan Karatsev, Roman Safiullin and Evgeny Donskoy.
Serbia will start favourite in Group A, which will also feature Norway, Chile and Spain, although world No. 6 Rafael Nadal hasn't been included in the latter's line-up.
A winner of 20 grand slam titles alongside Djokovic and Roger Federer, Nadal is still expected to contest the Australian Open, starting on Jan. 17.
The nine-day event will be played in Sydney at Ken Rosewall Arena and Qudos Bank Arena.