The list of packages for the next Australian Open (January 17 to 30, 2022) began this Saturday with that of Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
In Alsace, the native of Schiltigheim, 30, said he was giving up his participation for the first Grand Slam tournament of the 2022 season, not being vaccinated against Covid-19.
“Of course, from the moment I couldn't go without being vaccinated, it necessarily complicated things.
But, yes, for my part, it is a personal choice not to be vaccinated.
I do not know how long it will last, I do not know if it is feasible today to be a tennis player without being vaccinated ”, declared in a video the player, victorious of the Masters of doubles three years ago. weeks with his official friend, Nicolas Mahut.
What a week at the Masters @atptour!
20th title in duplicate with @ p2hugz.
A huge one for your support, your messages of encouragement.
Barely time to savor and we leave for the @DavisCup @FFTennis #team 🎾👊🏻 pic.twitter.com/CgOqTl7H9O
- Nico Mahut (@nmahut) November 22, 2021
The regulations introduced by the Australian authorities and organizers are final.
The state of Victoria, whose capital Melbourne will host the Australian Open in January, ruled out at the end of October granting a special exemption to unvaccinated players to participate in the tournament, which could exclude several players and more particularly Novak Djokovic .
The participation of the title holder and world number 1 is still uncertain with a little more than a month before the start of the competition.
The Serbian, who still refuses to say whether he is vaccinated or not, is however of course the list of participants returned on December 8, unlike Serena Williams.
