Reigning champion Djokovic must be vaccinated if he wants to defend Australian Open crown
Australian Open officials have now confirmed that all players including Novak Djokovic must be vaccinated against COVID 19 if they wish to compete at the 2022 tournament
World no.1 Novak Djokovic and a number of other high profile players wishing to compete at the first Grand Slam of 2022 must be able to prove they have been vaccinated against COVID.
Tournament Director Craig Tiley confirmed the decision on the Today Show filmed in Melbourne. Tiley said, ““When we’re in a state where there’s more than 90 percent of the population fully vaccinated, it’s the right thing to do,”
It’s full steam ahead for the Australian Open in January – with no crowd caps.
Preparations for the event are officially kicking-off today. #9Today pic.twitter.com/LVFIGZdDln
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) November 19, 2021
“It’s been made very clear when the Premier announced several weeks ago that in order to participate at the Australian Open, to come into Victoria, you’ll need to be fully vaccinated. Immediately, we communicated that to the playing group,” said Tiley.
“It is the one direction that you take, that you can ensure everyone’s safety. All the playing group understands it. Our patrons will need to be vaccinated, all the staff working the Australian Open need to be vaccinated.”
“When we’re in a state where there’s more than 90 percent of the population fully vaccinated, it’s the right thing to do.”
Asked directly about the participation of the 2021 champion Djokovic, Tiley was quoted as saying,
“There has been a lot of speculation around Novak’s position. He has noted and said publicly that it is a private matter.
“We would love to see Novak here [but] he knows he has to be vaccinated in order to play.”
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