Novak Djokovic has Covid-19 vaccination ‘exemption’ to play at Australian Open
Novak Djokovic says he has an “exemption permission” to play at the Australian Open without a Covid-19 vaccination.
Djokovic had never revealed whether he is vaccinated against Covid-19, but has criticised mandates ruling that players must be double-jabbed.
“I’ve spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I’m heading Down Under with an exemption permission,” he said on social media on Tuesday.
Rules in Victoria, where the Australian Open will begin on January 17, stated that players must be double-vaccinated against Covid-19.
Djokovic had previously been named in Serbia’s team for the ATP Cup in Sydney, but then withdrew from the tournament which is a traditional warm-up for the Australian Open, leading to a mystery about his participation in the Grand Slam.
“Novak Djokovic will compete at the Australian Open and is on his way to Australia,” an Australia Open media statement read on Tuesday.
Read: Biennial World Cup means Euros every two years – FIFA President
“Djokovic applied for a medical exemption which was granted following a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels of medical experts.
“One of those was the Independent Medical Exemption Review Panel appointed by the Victorian Department of Health. They assessed all applications to see if they met the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) guidelines.
Djokovic the most successful player in the history of the Australian Open, and is tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on 20 career Grand Slams each.
Federer will miss the Australian Open due to injury, but while Nadal had tested positive for Covid-19, he has since confirmed that he will play.
