NO VAX, NO PLAY
Novak needs jab for Australia
IT IS official. Novak Djokovic needs to be double-jabbed by January or he will be refused entry to defend his Australian Open title.
World No.1 Djokovic, who is level with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal on 20 Grand Slam titles, has declined to reveal his Covid vaccination status, and said he is unsure if he will defend his crown.
Clarifying Australia’s visa requirements, their minister for immigration, Alex Hawke, said foreign players would need to have had two vaccination shots to play at Melbourne Park.
“You’ll need to be double-vaccinated to visit Australia,’’ Hawke told Australian Broadcasting Corporation Radio.
“That’s a universal application, not just to tennis players. I mean that every visitor to Australia will need to be double-vaccinated. I don’t have a message to Novak. I have a message to everybody that wishes to visit Australia. He’ll need to be double vaccinated.”
Apart from Serbian Djokovic, who has won nine of his Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and the past three in succession at Melbourne Park, the rule could exclude scores of players from the tournament. More than a third of professional players remain unvaccinated, according to recent reports. Both the men’s ATP and women’s WTA tours have urged players to get vaccinated but some have voiced reservations.
Russian men’s US Open champion Daniil Medvedev and Germany’s world No.4 Alex Zverev have expressed scepticism, although their vaccination status remains unknown.
Tennis Australia, which organises the event, said it is working with authorities on conditions for players, fans and tournament staff.
“Our understanding is that the details around international visitors entering the country are yet to be decided and we hope to have more information soon,” the governing body said.