Djokovic in doubt as Australian Open confirms vaccine requirement

Sydney, November 20 (BUS) – Novak Djokovic’s participation in the Australian Open in January has been called into question after officials confirmed that all players must be vaccinated in order to compete in the tournament.

Djokovic, a nine-time winner in Melbourne, has repeatedly refused to reveal his vaccination status and has hinted he will not play if the vaccine ruling is carried out, German news agency dpa reported.

“Everyone on site – fans, staff and players – will need to be vaccinated in order to participate in this year’s Australian Open,” Tournament Director Craig Tilley said at the tournament’s official launch event.

“There has been a lot of speculation about Novak’s position. He has noted and said publicly that it is a private matter. We would love to see Novak here. [but] He knows he has to be vaccinated in order to play.”

Djokovic is chasing his 21st Grand Slam title but seems adamant he will not succumb to Melbourne’s demands.

Speaking this week at the ATP Tour Finals in Turin, Djokovic insisted: “You have to have freedom of choice, to decide what you want to do. In this particular case, what you want to put into your body.”

Djokovic sparked outrage last year when he wrote a letter in preparation for the tournament in which he suggested easing strict 14-day quarantine rules for top players.

In 2020, his charity event in Belgrade ended in fiasco with a number of top players – including Djokovic – testing positive after a tournament that seemed to ignore social distancing.

Tilley said he had assurances that lead players Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka would play in Melbourne.

“I’ve been on the phone with Serena for the past 48 hours and she’s getting ready to be here in January,” Tillie added.

NS