Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Wednesday that he would demand proof from Novak Djokovic that the "
medical exemption
" he received to participate in the Australian Open was justified, failing which the Serbian would be sent "
home .
by the first plane
”.
To read also "No special treatment granted to Novak": the boss of the Australian Open urges Djokovic to say the reason for his exemption
"
We are waiting for his presentation and for him to provide us with evidence to justify
" this waiver, Mr Morrison said at a press conference.
The world No. 1, 34, has never said whether or not he was vaccinated against Covid-19.
"
If that evidence is insufficient, then he will not be treated any differently from anyone else, and he will return home on the first plane."
There will be no special rule for Novak Djokovic.
Not the least
”, insisted the Prime Minister.
Read alsoWhy the controversial exemption of "Novax" Djokovic will not cure his popularity
Australian Open director Craig Tiley also urged Novak Djokovic to reveal the reason for his medical waiver.
"
It would certainly be helpful if Novak explained the conditions under which he applied for and obtained an exemption
," Tiley, also president of the Australian Federation (TA), told reporters.
"
I encourage him to talk to the community about this ... We have been going through a very difficult time over the past two years and I would appreciate some responses to that
," he added.
The Australian tennis boss, however, said that Djokovic had not received any preferential treatment to obtain this exemption, during a process supervised by the Australian authorities and those of the State of Victoria.
- "
No favor
" -
A total of 26 players or members of their staff, out of the 3,000 or so expected in Australia, have requested an exemption and only a few of them have obtained satisfaction, he said.
“
Anyone who meets the conditions has been allowed to enter.
There was no special favor.
There was no special treatment given to Novak
, ”Tiley insisted.
Already winner of 20 Grand Slams, like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Serbian Novak Djokovic is aiming for a record 21st title in Melbourne.
The Australian Open, which begins on January 17, is his favorite tournament: it is in Melbourne that the Serbian won his first Grand Slam (2008), and no one has won there as much as him (nine victories ).
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 so as not to reveal the reasons justifying 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.
mp / roc / mdm / jr
