"I am not convinced by the reasons with which Undersecretary
Valentina Vezzali
said that Djokovic will be able to participate in the Internationals of Rome, there are rules that must be respected as long as they are there".
The Undersecretary of Health,
Andrea Costa
said at 24 Mattino on Radio 24.
In recent days, Vezzali had emphasized that according to the current rules on sporting competitions for Djokovic there are no bans from participating in the Internationals, scheduled in Rome from next May 2.
"I believe that fronts, gates, giving exceptions, we end up giving the wrong messages", added Costa.
"I believe that we must all be equal in front of the rules, the norms - continued the undersecretary -, and whoever has a large following, who can give us a hand in this work must give a good example all the more reason. So I am against the presence by Djokovic at the Rome Internationals ".
The tournament will be held in Rome from 2 to 15 May.
A few days from Djokovic in an interview with the BBC he said he was ready to give up any tennis tournament, including Wimbledon and Roland Garros, if as a condition to participate he was imposed the obligation to be vaccinated.
His words come one month after his expulsion from Australia, which prevented him from competing at the Australian Open.
"Yes, that's a price I'm willing to pay," said Djokivic.
"I fully support the freedom to decide whether to be vaccinated or not," he added, underlining, however, that he is not opposed on principle and therefore does not want to be associated with the no vax movement.
