Now that he has secured a medical exemption, Novak Djokovic may have to offer an explanation once he arrives in Melbourne, where he must defend his title as the Australian Open men’s singles title.
The exemption ensures Djokovic, world number one, to be able to participate in the tournament regardless of his vaccine status for COVID-19.
This is a topic he declined to clarify after months of speculation that he could miss the first major tournament of the season if he cannot prove he received two doses of the vaccine. against the coronavirus.
The requirement to demonstrate double vaccination was imposed by the state government of Victoria and affects all players, staff, spectators and officials arriving at Melbourne Park, the site of the tournament due to start on January 17.
Djokovic’s social media announcement that he would fly to Australia, where he will try to earn a 21st men’s singles title at one of four Grand Slam tournaments, sparked debate and lined the one of the papers on Wednesday.
Some people wonder why Djokovic could benefit from an exemption while others defend his right to privacy.
Craig Tiley, director of the Australian Open, defended the “very legitimate request and process” and insisted there was no special treatment for Djokovic.
Only 26 people linked to tennis’s Grand Slam event requested an exemption and, according to Tiley, only a “handful” – estimated at around five – have been granted.
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