Novak Djokovic will play the Australian Open in Melbourne. After months of threats from the local government, the mystery has been resolved and finally the Serbian will be able to defend the title despite not being vaccinated against the covid. The Serbian will be able to play after receiving a medical exemption.
Djokovic, who had so far refused to reveal whether he had been vaccinated or not, previously said he was not sure if he would compete in the Grand Slam due to restrictions on entering Australia. “I had a fantastic time with my loved ones during the holidays and today I am heading to ‘Down Under’ (a colloquial way of defining Australia in English) with an exemption permit,” the Serbian player said on his social media.
Only fully immunized players or players with a medical exemption can compete in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year due to entry requirements. Djokovic recently canceled his participation in the ATP Cup and left his trip to Melbourne open until the end. The 34-year-old is ready “to live and breathe tennis for the next few weeks. Thank you for all your support!”
His statements confirm that the player is not vaccinated and that he will play the first Grand Slam of the season despite threats from the Australian government that has finally granted him an exemption. All Australian politicians, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison, had repeatedly claimed that Djokovic would not enter the country if he was not vaccinated. Now the world number 1 will have the option of defending his crown and breaking the 20 ‘Grand Slam’ he shares with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
– .
