‘They’re here’ – Australian Open chief reveals participation of unvaccinated

Craig Tiley has confirmed that while the majority of competitors at the 2022 Australian Open will be fully vaccinated, a number of players have been granted medical exemptions. 

The CEO of Tennis Australia explained in more detail than previously disclosed the process of applying for a medical exemption.

In particular, Tiley emphasised the system of anonymity between players and medical panels while the process takes place.

“Every athlete coming into Australia has to be vaccinated and show proof of that, or has to have made an application for a medical exemption,” Tiley explained on Australian TV program Today.

“In the case of tennis players, that’s far more rigorous than anyone coming into Australia applying for a medical exemption,”  .

“There are two medical panels that assess any application, and they assess it in a blind way. They don’t know who the applicant is.

“[Considering] the guidelines, an exemption gets granted or not. The reason for granting the exemption remains private, between the panel and the applicant.”

It is up to the players themselves as to whether they wish to reveal their status a medically exempt from the vaccine.

“We know of athletes that have applied for an exemption and in cases, it’s been granted,” Tiley added.

“Some of them) have indicated that they’re here, but that’s up to the athlete, to disclose and [decide] whether they want to share that information.”

As such, there is no way of telling how many of the players competing come 17th January have received a medical exemption to be in Australia.

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