Australian Open, it's official: only vaccinated players will be able to participate, Djokovic unknown
"We would like to see Novak - said the tournament owner -, but he knows he must be vaccinated in order to play"
Now the official has also arrived. All players competing in the Australian Open tennis, scheduled for January in Melbourne, will need to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
This was announced by tournament owner Craig Tiley: "Everyone on site, staff, spectators and players, will need to be vaccinated to participate in the Australian Open."
The pressure rises on Novak Djokovic: the number 1 in the world, nine times winner in Melbourne, has always refused to say whether he is vaccinated or not. In the past he has expressed an opinion against the anti-Covid vaccination and has always said he is in favor of freedom of choice. Now he is forced to come out, and may have to postpone the hunt for the 21st Grand Slam (and overtaking Federer and Nadal) until Roland Garros.
"There has been a lot of speculation about Novak's position," Tiley said. "He said publicly that this is a private matter. We'd love to see Novak here but he knows he needs to be vaccinated in order to play."
The first Grand Slam of the year will be held January 17-30 in Australia's second largest city, just out of more than 260 cumulative lockdown days. Last month the state of Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital, had already ruled out granting a special exemption to the unvaccinated.
(Unioneonline / L)
