Earlier this week, the French authorities announced that there would be no exceptions for unvaccinated tennis players to enter the sports field, where, under the newly approved law, only fully vaccinated players will be able to. This can pose a big problem for Djokovic and the like towards Roland Garros.
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But it is tightening now. At the same time, a series of challengers take place in Italy during the Australian Open, where unvaccinated tennis players can play, but they are subject to draconian restrictions.
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Novak Djokovic arrived in Belgrade, fans were waiting for him at the airportVideo: Reuters
According to the rules, players without vaccinations can play if they prove themselves with a negative test on the covid every 48 hours, but they will not be allowed access to the tournament facilities, such as locker rooms, a gym, a restaurant or a tournament hotel.
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Restrictions also apply to escorts. The only unvaccinated person on the accompanying team may be the coach. No one else, including family members. The British Daily Mail states that these are lower-category tournaments, but according to ATP sources, the same rules should apply to top-level tournaments.
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Voices for a tougher covid policy are also heard from the top tennis players themselves. Former world number one and WTA board member Victoria Azarenko said on Wednesday that a uniform “no jab, no play” rule should be applied, which would have no exceptions.
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Serbian fans welcome their tennis hero Novak Djokovic at Belgrade Airport.Photo: Marko Djurica, Reuters
The intention is to avoid similar chaos and ambiguity to the Djokovic case in Australia.
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“If there is a gray zone in the rules, it raises too many questions and then such situations will arise. In some cases, a black and white approach is necessary, “said Azarenkova.
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However, she herself realizes that such an approach to compulsory vaccination could conflict with the law in some countries. “Of course we have to respect individual countries and their legislation,” she added.
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Former World Eight and former Wimbledon doubles finalist John Alexander, a member of the Australian Parliament, is pushing for all grand slams to have an unvaccinated unified approach.
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“There should be the same rules at all four grand slams. We need to come together and create something that is clear so that all players know what they are up to. And if there are any exceptions, it must not be written in small print, but on the contrary, it must be clearly defined, “Alexander told The Age.
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Novak Djokovic traveled to MontenegroVideo: Reuters
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