Novak Djokovic responds to Australian Open vaccination mandate

Sports Editor

Sat, 20 Nov 2021, 8:41 pm·3-min read

Novak Djokovic and Craig Tiley, pictured here speaking to the media. — Novak Djokovic has responded to Craig Tiley's statement that all players at the Australian Open must be vaccinated. Image: Getty

Novak Djokovic has responded to Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley confirming all players will need to be fully vaccinated in order to play the Australian Open.

The Victorian state government has previously stated that only vaccinated people will be be allowed into Melbourne Park for the Australian Open, which runs from January 17-30.

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On Saturday, Tennis Australia CEO Tiley reiterated that position.

"Everyone on site, the fans, all the staff, the players, will need to be vaccinated," Tiley said at the tournament's launch.

"There's been a lot of speculation about Novak's position, he's said it's a private matter.

"We would love to see Novak here, but he knows he needs to be vaccinated in order to play.

"He's always said that the Australian Open is the event that puts the wind in his sails."

Djokovic is the defending and nine-time champion at the Australian Open, but has refused to publicly reveal his vaccination status.

"We'll see. We'll have to wait and see," Djokovic said of the Australian Open after losing to Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals in Turin on Saturday.

"I haven't been talking to them, to be honest," Djokovic said of Australian Open officials.

"I was just waiting to hear what the news is going to be and now that I know we'll just have to wait and see."

If he does go to Melbourne, Djokovic has the chance to break a tie with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and win a record 21st grand slam singles title.

Nadal has confirmed he will play at Melbourne Park while Federer is out following another round of knee surgery.

Novak Djokovic and Craig Tiley, pictured here after the Australian Open final in January. — Novak Djokovic and Craig Tiley look on after the Australian Open final in January. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

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Zverev was also asked on Saturday if Djokovic's handling of the vaccine issue should be better respected.

"This is a very tough one because it's very political," the World No.3 said.

"At the end of the day I don't know his criteria.

"But we are visiting another country. This is not about tennis. This is about the virus that is going on, right

"At the end of the day, the country is allowing us to enter. We need to follow the rules and follow the guidelines."

Zverev said that while it would be "easier to win the tournament" if Djokovic doesn't play, "he's No.1 in the world so he should be there.

"Hopefully the Australian government will make an exemption or whatever it is that they can do for him to be able to participate there," Zverev said.

Djokovic is scheduled to play for Serbia at the Davis Cup finals next week in Austria, which has just announced a national lockdown and a plan to mandate vaccinations as coronavirus infections hit a record high.

People visiting Austria for work during the lockdown have to pre-register and show a negative PCR test if they are not vaccinated or recently recovered from Covid-19.

Djokovic and his wife tested positive for the coronavirus last year after he played in a series of exhibition matches that he organised in Serbia and Croatia without social distancing amid the pandemic.

with AAP

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