The father of Novak Djokovic had a go at the 2022 Australian Open organisers
World No.1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic is all set to miss out on next year’s Australian Open if the rules regarding Covid-19 vaccinations are not relaxed by the organisers.
Djokovic’s father Srdjan Djokovic believes that it is highly unlikely that Serb will be taking part in next year’s first Grand Slam. Srdjan continued and told Serbia’s TV Prva that governing body Tennis Australia’s stance on players being vaccinated was equivalent to blackmail.
“As far as vaccines and non-vaccines are concerned, it is the personal right of each of us whether we will be vaccinated or not. No one has the right to enter into our intimacy.
“Under these blackmails and conditions, [Djokovic] probably won’t [play]. I wouldn’t do that. And he’s my son, so you decide for yourself.”
Novak Djokovic and the Australian Open
Novak Djokovic is 9 time champion at Melbourne Park and was seen as the favourite to win another title next year. He has had a brilliant 2021 season where we saw him lifting three Grand Slam titles – Australian Open, Wimbledon and French Open.
He is tied at 20 Grand Slams with legendary duo Roger Federer and Nadal. Nadal has already confirmed he will play at Melbourne Park but Federer has been ruled out as he is recovering from his knee injury.
Djokovic is yet to reveal whether he has been vaccinated and said at the ATP Finals in Turin that he is undecided on whether he will play in Melbourne. The Australian Open begins on 17 January so time is definitely not in his hands.
Djoker fans will be surely disappointed if he gives the next year’s inaugural Grand Slam a miss as he is also seen as crowd favourite at Rod Laver Arena.
What the Australian Open’s organisers have said
Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said no tennis star will be able to participate in the forthcoming edition of the coveted tournament if they fail to show COVID-19 vaccination proof upon arrival in Australia.
“It was probably only a little more than 50% of the players at that point that were vaccinated. We’ll get close to 90% and there’s still a bit of time to go before that date at the end of December when everyone arrives.”
“Everyone knows they have to be vaccinated seven days before they arrive in Australia and of course they have the choice of all the different vaccines, with Johnson and Johnson being one of them so they could just get one shot coming in.”
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