This decision will probably guarantee a lot of discussions: Thanks to a medical exception regulation that exempts him from the compulsory vaccination against Covid-19, Novak Djokovic can start at the Australian Open in Melbourne (January 17th to 30th). The tennis world number one has never wanted to reveal his vaccination status in the past few months. Now everyone knows that the 34-year-old Serb is not vaccinated.
Actually, only vaccinated players are allowed to compete in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year due to regulatory requirements in Australia. Djokovic recently canceled his participation in the ATP Cup in Sydney and left his Melbourne trip open until the end. “I spent great quality time with my loved ones during the break and today I’m flying to” Down Under “with a special permit. Let’s go 2022,” wrote Djokovic on Instagram yesterday.
Strict review
Almost two weeks before the start of the first season major, the month-long speculation about the participation of the top star ends. The organizers announced that the exemption had been granted after a strict review, in which two independent expert panels were involved. 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 the decisions were made by independent experts.
The nine-time Melbourne winner Djokovic had always left his vaccination status open. With his announcement, the top star now raises new questions: Why is he an exception? Why do the organizers give him the chance to defend his title – apparently also as an unvaccinated person? “We’d love to see Novak here, but he knows he has to be vaccinated to play,” Tiley said back in November.
In the regulations of the Australian authorities, among other things, an “acute major medical condition” is the reason for an exemption. Which Djokovic that could be remains a secret for data protection reasons. Should Djokovic win the Australian Open for the tenth time, he would become the sole record holder with his 21st Grand Slam title.
He currently shares the record with his rivals Roger Federer (Sui) and Rafael Nadal (Esp). Federer is still paused due to his knee problems, the Spaniard Nadal wants to compete – after a positive Corona test shortly before Christmas. Austria’s star Dominic Thiem doesn’t feel fit enough yet.
Source: Nachrichten
