Novak dilemma over Oz jab rules

NOVAK DJOKOVIC’S participation in the Australian Open in January is in doubt after officials confirmed all players must be vaccinated against Covid to compete in the tournament.

Djokovic, a nine-time winner in Melbourne, has repeatedly refused to disclose his vaccination status and insisted he would not play if the vaccine ruling was enforced.

Tournament director Craig Tiley said at the event’s official launch: “Everyone on site – the fans, the staff and the players – will need to be vaccinated in order to participate in this year’s Australian Open.

“There has been a lot of speculation around Novak’s position. He has noted and said publicly that it is a private matter.

“We would love to see Novak here but he knows he has to be vaccinated in order to play.”

Djokovic is chasing his 21st Grand Slam title but the Serbian is adamant that he will not bow to

Melbourne’s demands. Speaking last week at the season-ending ATP Tour finals in Turin, Djokovic said: “You should have the freedom to choose, to decide what you want to do. In this case, what you want to put in your body.”

Djokovic (below) sparked anger last year when he wrote a letter during the build-up to the tournament suggesting the strict 14-day quarantine rules for top players should be relaxed.

In 2020, his charity event in Belgrade ended in a fiasco with a number of top players – including Djokovic – testing positive for coronavirus following a tournament which appeared to ignore social distancing.

Tiley said he has been assured that leading women’s players Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka will play in Melbourne.

He added: “I have been on the phone with Serena in the last 48 hours and she is preparing to be here in January.”