Djokovic declines to reveal his vaccination status

Serbian participation in doubt as officials hold firm on rules

All players who want a visa to compete in the Australian Open will need to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19, the country’s immigration minister said on Wednesday, putting Novak Djokovic’s title defence in doubt.

Djokovic, who is level with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal on 20 Grand Slam titles, has declined to reveal his vaccination status, and said he is unsure if he will defend his Australian Open crown.

Clarifying Australia’s visa requirements, Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke said foreign players would need to have had two vaccination shots to play the Grand Slam at Melbourne Park in January.

“You will need to be double vaccinated to visit Australia. That’s a universal application, not just to tennis players. I mean that every visitor to Australia will need to be double vaccinated, Hawke said.

“I don’t have a message to Novak. I have a message to everybody that wishes to visit Australia. Hell need to be double vaccinated, Hawke said.