After weeks of speculation Novak Djokovic will play at the Australian Open after officials awarded him a special exemption to participate in the tournament.
There has been doubts over whether the world No.1 would be heading to the first Grand Slam of the season due to their entry requirements. This year all participants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they qualify for a medical exemption. Djokovic has publicly refused to disclose his vaccination status which has fuelled speculation that he has not had a jab.
In a statement published on Instagram the 20-timer Grand Slam champion confirmed that he has received an ‘exemption permission’ but didn’t specify on which grounds it has been granted. According to tournament director Craig Tiley, there are two medical panels who decide on applications for an exemption. When they make their assessment they are not informed about the name of the player, instead they focus solely on the medical details.
“I’ve spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I’m heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let’s go 2022!,” Djokovic wrote.
In recent days Djokovic has been training at a tennis academy in Marbella. According to Marca newspaper, he has been at the Puente Romano Tennis Club with coach Marian Vajda, physio Ulisés Badio and his trainer Marco Panichi. It is not known when the Serbian was aware that his exemption application had been approved.
In December Tennis Australia issued an internal document to players outlining the following four grounds in which players will be granted an exception:-
- If a player has a history of anaphylaxis (an allergic reaction) to all approved COVID-19 vaccinations.
- If a player had experienced a ‘serious adverse event’ linked to the first dose of an approved vaccine which has resulted in hospitalization or some significant disability/incapacity.
- They are currently suffering from an acute medical condition
- Within the past six months they have suffered from an inflammatory cardiac illness.
However players who are pregnant, suffering from a chronic underlying medical condition or have a family history of ‘adverse events’ will not be allowed a medical exemption. The same will apply to those who claim preference to another type of vaccine or suffered ‘expected side effects’ from their previous vaccine.
Djokovic’s participation in the Australian Open now means he has a shot of winning a record 21st Grand Slam title which would move him past rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Nadal is also in the draw but Federer isn’t playing due to injury. He also has the chance to become only the second player in history to win the Melbourne major for a 10th time after Margaret Court.
