Novak Djokovic’s French Open doubtful as Sports Minister makes U-turn after vaccine passes announced
The French Sports Ministry has revealed that the newly-introduced vaccine passes “will apply to everyone,” meaning Novak Djokovic may also miss the French Open.
After being expelled from the Australian Open just a day before the first Grand Slam of the season got underway, World number one Djokovic may also be forced to miss Roland Garros.
This comes as a result of the French Parliament approving the introduction of Covid-19 vaccine passes. This measure will require people to provide a certificate or proof of vaccination to enter public spaces as France looks to increase vaccination rates.
During the Australian Open medical exemption drama, it was revealed that Djokovic was unvaccinated and would require a medical exemption to play.
A medical exemption was granted to the 20-time Grand Slam titlist but it was rescinded upon his arrival and his visa was subsequently cancelled.
Whilst Djokovic fought the decision in court and had his visa and exemption reinstated, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke took the executive decision to supersede the court’s ruling and cancelled Djokovic’s visa once more.
This time the decision was upheld unanimously by three judges and nine-time ‘Happy Slam’ winner Djokovic would be deported a day before the Slam began.
French Minister of Sports Roxana Mărăcineanu previously revealed that Djokovic would be able to play the French Open regardless of his vaccination status.
Although she has now made a U-turn by saying “the rule is simple. The vaccine pass will be imposed, as soon as the law is promulgated, in establishments that were already subject to the health pass.
“This will apply to everyone who is a spectator or a professional sportsperson. And this [will be] until further notice.
“Now, as far as Roland Garros [French Open] is concerned, it’s in May. The situation may change between now and then and we hope that it will be more favourable. So we’ll see, but clearly there’s no exemption.”
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