Australian Prime Minister says Novak Djokovic ‘will follow the same rules as everyone else’
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed Novak Djokovic will not receive any preferential treatment, saying “there are no special rules for tennis players or anyone else.”
This week World number one Djokovic has been named in both Serbia’s ATP Cup squad and the Australian Open entry list, despite not publicly revealing his Covid-19 vaccination status.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion had been waiting for an official decision on the Australian Open’s vaccination rules before announcing his final decision.
Whilst Djokovic is yet to declare his vaccination status, last week he revealed a decision was imminent by saying “you will know very soon.”
In order to compete at the Australian Open players are required to be double-vaccinated, a decision Novak’s father Srdjan called “blackmail.”
Reigning champion Djokovic being named in the Australian Open entry list led many to assume he will definitely compete at the ‘Happy Slam’ where he would be looking to defend his title.
However, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley cast further doubt over the Serbian’s participation when he said “everyone goes on the entry list, it isn’t a commitment list.”
Tennis Australia also released a statement where they denied rumours that they had been exploring possible loopholes.
Similarly, Morrison told Sky News Australia that “those decisions are being made by medical officials and other officials, not by politicians.
“He will follow the same rules as anyone else would. There are no special rules for tennis players or anyone else.
“They apply by the same rules and that they are the rules in place for the Victorian government and the Australian Open itself and they have their rules.”
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