Australian Open director Craig Tiley on Wednesday urged Novak Djokovic to reveal the reason for the medical waiver that will allow him to participate in the first Grand Slam of the year, from January 17, without ever having said whether or not he was vaccinated against Covid-19.
"It would certainly be useful if Novak explained the conditions under which he applied for and obtained an exemption," he said, who is also president of the Australian federation.
I encourage him to talk to the community about this.
We have been through a very difficult time in the past two years and I would appreciate some responses to that ”.
There it is.
Novak Djokovic is heading to Melbourne “with an exemption permission”.
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- The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) January 4, 2022
The Australian tennis boss said, however, that the Serbian was not given any preferential treatment to obtain this waiver, during a process supervised by the Australian authorities and those of the State of Victoria: "A total of 26 players or members of their staff, out of the 3,000 or so who made the trip to Australia, requested an exemption and only a few of them were satisfied. Anyone who met the conditions was allowed to enter. There was no special favor. There was no special treatment given to Novak ”.
For months, “Nole” had cast doubt on his participation in the first Grand Slam of the year, due to the obligation for players to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter Australia and be able to compete in the tournament. He finally announced Tuesday that he had obtained a "medical exemption" allowing him to make the trip. The Australian Federation has taken refuge behind medical confidentiality in order not to justify this exemption.
Novak Djokovic has never communicated on his vaccination status and spoke in April 2020 against compulsory vaccination, then envisaged to allow the resumption of tournaments despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
His announcement sparked negative reactions from some players denouncing a double standard, or in some Australian press headlines, in a country where measures to fight Covid-19 have been particularly strict.
“If I hadn't been vaccinated, I don't think I would have obtained an exemption,” explains Jamie Murray, one of the best doubles players, brother of Andy.
Anyway, well done to him for getting it.
At the end of the day, we kind of have to believe that he has a valid reason for being granted this medical exemption.
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Jamie Murray & Liam Broady's reaction to Djokovic receiving a medical exemption to play the #AusOpen.
📹 The Guardian pic.twitter.com/cawXxcYF5u
- 💙 (@drivevolleys) January 4, 2022
Winner of 20 Grand Slams, tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic is aiming for a 21st title, which would allow him to become a legend.
The Australian Open is his favorite tournament.
It is indeed in Melbourne that "Nole" won his first Grand Slam in 2008. With nine victories, he holds the record for victories at the Antipodes.