Novak Djokovic is allowed to go to the Australian Open – although he is probably not vaccinated

Not only the exceptional position of the Bundesliga provides plenty of topics of conversation during the corona pandemic. The discussion about special rights in professional sport does not stop at tennis stars. Now the Australian Open exception rule for top star Novak Djokovic is triggering new debates.

Probably without the actually required vaccination against the corona virus, the Serbian world number one will attack the Grand Slam record in Melbourne. “Happy New Year everyone”, the 34-year-old wrote almost two weeks before the tournament started: “I spent a fantastic time with my loved ones during the break and today I am traveling down under with a special permit. Let’s go 2022 !!” According to a statement from the Australian Tennis Association, he received permission from independent experts.

Djokovic continues to keep his vaccination status a secret

Months of guesswork about the defending champion’s participation in the Grand Slam tournament starting on January 17th is over. And Djokovic is offensive and polarized again, as it was so often. The regulations stipulate that only players who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus or who fall under a medical exception may compete in Australia.

Djokovic had repeatedly left his vaccination status open and declared it a private matter. Now he did not reveal the secret with a clear statement, but indirectly he did. The exception rule suggests that he is not vaccinated. What is behind this is not known. That fuels discussions and raises further questions: What can a number one in the tennis world have to be considered a medical exception? Why doesn’t Djokovic get vaccinated? How will its competitors perceive the decision?

Independent experts are said to have approved the exception

Djokovic spread his message on the Internet with a photo of him smiling next to his tennis bag at an airport. Shortly afterwards, the organizers confirmed the exceptional approval. The 20-time Grand Slam tournament winner applied for a medical exception, and it was granted after a strict review in which two independent expert panels were involved. One of the bodies was appointed by the Ministry of Health of the Australian state of Victoria.

Fair and strict rules for medical exemption applications have been put in place so that the Australian Open is “safe and enjoyable for everyone,” said tournament director Craig Tiley. The central point is that independent experts have made the decision. According to the Australian newspaper “The Age”, tournament boss Tiley announced over the weekend that a handful of unvaccinated players had received exceptions.

Australia had sealed itself off for a long time during the Corona crisis, and the pandemic was fought with tough measures. Melbourne was locked down for a long time. In early December, Deputy Prime Minister James Merlino said there were only a limited number of reasons for an exemption. “Medical exceptions are just that – it’s not a loophole for privileged tennis players,” Merlino said, according to ABC. “It is a medical exception under exceptional circumstances when you have an acute illness.”

Novak Djokovic had positioned himself as an opponent of vaccinations

Djokovic caused a stir several times in the corona crisis. He had already positioned himself as an opponent of vaccinations in spring 2020. “Personally, I am against vaccinations. I don’t want someone forcing me to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel,” the Serb said. He also made headlines with the Adria tour he helped organize in the summer of 2020, during which the coronavirus was dealt with carelessly and which was heavily criticized. There were party pictures that did not fit into the Corona times. Djokovic himself was also infected during the Adria tour last year.

The vaccination requirements for the Australian Open have been known since November. The world number one had for a short time refrained from his originally announced start at the currently running ATP Cup in Sydney – the team event that serves as preparation. And yet a Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne without Djokovic was difficult to imagine. Nine times – more often than anyone else – he finally triumphed in Melbourne.

Djokovic wants to overtake Nadal and Federer

With the next and a total of 21st Grand Slam title, he wants to outstrip his great rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and become the sole record Grand Slam tournament winner. That is his big goal after the dream of the Grand Slam, i.e. triumph in all four Grand Slam tournaments in one calendar year, at the US Open in 2021. Hamburg Olympic champion Alexander Zverev has also set himself the goal of winning the tournament for Melbourne. The men’s final is on January 30th.