Djokovic could face French Open battle as unvaccinated rules tighten

Novak Djokovic was still on his way home from Australia when another obstacle was put in his path in the form of a tightening of regulations in France towards the unvaccinated.

The first day of play at the Australian Open was overshadowed by the fallout from the government’s ultimately successful efforts to deport Djokovic ahead of the tournament because of his perceived threat to public health and order.

The world number one arrived in Dubai on his way to Serbia having said in a statement following the verdict of the Federal Court that he would take some time “to rest and to recuperate”.

Djokovic’s continued resistance to being vaccinated against Covid-19 is fast emerging as the biggest threat to his quest to firmly establish himself as the best male player of all time.

Had he played in Melbourne, he would have been a big favourite to win a 21st grand slam, moving him clear of his great rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

He is unlikely to play the big ATP tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami in March unless he changes his stance because of the USA’s tight restrictions, and French sports minister Roxana Maracineanu performed an aboutturn by saying sportspeople will need to be vaccinated to compete in the country.

Maracineau last week defended the idea of bubbles for unvaccinated athletes, but reversed that position after the passing of stricter measures in the French parliament, putting Djokovic’s defence of his French Open title in danger.

There appears no prospect of the British government following suit, but it is not inconceivable that Wimbledon could be the only grand slam tournament where Djokovic competes in 2022.

His deportation also carries an automatic three-year ban from Australia, although it can be waived if there are deemed to be compelling reasons.

Much can still change ahead of the summer, of course, and Gilles Moretton, the president of the French Tennis Federation, told l’Equipe: “Our teams are working in collaboration with the public authorities, who will specify in due course the rules relating to the reception of unvaccinated foreign athletes for our tournament.”