Novak Djokovic to play Australian Open on medical exemption

The question had been pending for several weeks, it is now settled. Novak Djokovic announced Tuesday, January 4, to travel to Melbourne to play the Australian Open (January 17-30).

Reluctant to vaccination, the title holder of the Slam tournament was granted a six-month medical exemption to enter Australia. “I’m heading for the Down Under (the southern hemipher) with an exemption clearance”, published the world number 1 on Instagram.

A few minutes later, the Australian Open confirmed in a statement that “Novak Djokovic requested a medical exemption which was granted following a rigorous review process involving two independent panels of medical experts.“

Here’s a statement from the #AusOpen which confirms that Djokovic got a medical exemption. pic.twitter.com/WPDGmrzuJR

– Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 4, 2022

“Novak Djokovic to take part in Australian Open and he’s on his way“, insists the press release, hiding behind medical confidentiality so as not to reveal the reasons for the granting of this exemption to the world No. 1.”Fair and independent protocols have been put in place to assess requests for medical exemptions to ensure a safe and enjoyable 2022 Australian Open for everyone“said TA president Craig Tiley in the press release.

Australia requires vaccination to enter its territory. Many reasons [en anglais] can give rise to an exemption, in particular an infection with Covid-19 in the last six months, heart problems or the presence of mental and behavioral disorders.

Craig Tiley had however declared at the end of December that very few medical exemptions would be granted to the players. James Merlino, the Deputy Prime Minister of the State of Victoria (where Melbourne is located) had even said that medical exemptions were not “no means to circumvent these rules for privileged tennis players”.

His exemption in his pocket, the Serbian, who has never confessed if he was vaccinated or not, will try to win his 21st Grand Slam title, the 10th in Melbourne.