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Novak Djokovic at the French Open, October 2020
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Christophe Ena / AP
Unvaccinated tennis professionals will probably not receive entry permits for the Australian Open in Melbourne next January.
This was announced by Dan Andrews, Prime Minister of the State of Victoria.
This would put the defending champion and “vaccine skeptic” Novak Djokovic at risk at the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.
“I don't think an unvaccinated player can get a visa for this country.
The virus does not care where you are in the world rankings or how many Grand Slams you have won, "said Andrews." Even if there were a visa, affected players would probably have to be in quarantine for several weeks. "
The world number one Djokovic, who had repeatedly criticized corona vaccinations in public, questioned his participation himself.
“I don't know if I'll go to Australia.
The current situation is not good, "the 34-year-old Serb told the tabloid Blic:" Of course I want to play there.
It's the Grand Slam where I've had the most success. "
The 20-time Grand Slam champion doesn't talk about whether he's vaccinated.
“This is a private matter.
Too many people pretend to ask questions and judge other people, "he said." Whatever you answer can be misinterpreted. "
Djokovic recently paused without giving reasons
Australia has been one of the countries with the most rigid entry rules since the beginning of the corona crisis and is still almost completely sealed off.
In 2021, the Australian Open took place under great security measures, all players had to go into quarantine for two weeks.
Djokovic had secured his ninth title in Melbourne with a final victory over the Russian Daniil Medvedev.
Djokovic has been on pause since losing the US Open final a good five weeks ago, most recently he was absent from the Masters tournament in Indian Wells, California, without giving a reason.
He now said that he spent a lot of time with his family after the final in New York and did not train.
Due to the defeat, Djokovic had missed out on being the first men's professional to win all four major tournaments in a calendar year, the Grand Slam, in 52 years.
He wants to return to the Masters tournament in Paris at the beginning of November and then compete in the ATP Finals in Turin and the Davis Cup finals.
ara / sid