Compulsory vaccination for the Australian Open? What does that mean for Novak Djokovic?
According to the Australian newspaper "The Age", it is very likely that all players at the Australian Open will be vaccinated. And those responsible down under are very well aware of what this could mean for series winner Novak Djokovic.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Oct 03, 2021, 04:48 pm
Tough negotiations are already taking place Down Under, as the Australian medium reported. The overriding theme: a possible vaccination requirement for all players who want to take part in the Australian Open at the beginning of next year. According to consistent reports, tournament director and head of Tennis Australia, Craig Tiley, had long tried to overturn the duty, but fell on deaf ears.
Tiley's argument: Many top players would be deterred by compulsory vaccination, it could lead to a much weaker field of participants in the first Grand Slam of the year than is traditionally the case. However, the health authorities insisted on the position. Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, Australia has adopted a very restrictive approach.
Fear of celebrity absenteeism?
Behind the scenes, there is above all a name that tennis Australians bring into the meeting to argue against a possible vaccination requirement: Novak Djokovic. He has already triumphed eleven times Down Under, but recently showed himself to be critical of the vaccination on several occasions. The same applies to the two top 10 players Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka.
In total - it was reported a few weeks ago - only around 30% of the players were vaccinated on the ATP tour. A value that - should Tennis Australia actually require a vaccination for entry into Australia - could rise sharply, but which at the same time could also prevent many players from starting the first major of the calendar year.
At the moment there is no official confirmation of the plans. However, as the journalist Adam Addicott spread via Twitter, the government in Victoria has a very clear attitude towards players who are critical of vaccinations: 20 Grand Slams "will not protect him from the virus".