Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic World No.1 Novak Djokovic named in entry list- 20-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has been named in the entry list of the year’s first grand slam. The list opens a possibility that Djokovic is likely to take part in the Australian Open amid questions regarding his vaccination status over the vaccine mandate for the tournament. As per Sky Sports Australia, he will take part due to a medical exemption loophole. Follow Australian Open 2022 live updates on InsideSport.IN
Djokovic has declined to disclose his vaccination status despite all players, officials, staff and fans at the Jan. 17-30 tournament at Melbourne Park needing to be inoculated against COVID-19.
Australian Open 2022: World No.1 Novak Djokovic named in main draw entry list of Australian Open, set to defend title under special provision in AO2022
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Victoria’s Deputy Premier James Merlino said, “Medical exemptions are just that – it’s not a loophole for privileged tennis players …It is a medical exemption in exceptional circumstances if you have an acute medical condition.”
“Any application for a medical exemption must follow strict government guidelines based on Atagi (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation) clinical advice,” the report added.
The development comes after Novak Djokovic was named in Serbia’s team for the men’s season-opening ATP Cup in January in Sydney.
Earlier, World No.1’s father Srdjan Djokovic revealed that if rules on COVID vaccinations are not relaxed, the Serbian would withdraw from the tournament.
Djokovic, who has won a record nine titles at Melbourne Park including the last three, has repeatedly declined to reveal whether he has been vaccinated against COVID-19, with Australian Open organisers Tennis Australia confirming that all players would have to be vaccinated to compete in Melbourne.
The Australian Open will pass him an opportunity to top the men’s all-time list of major winners as he is tied on 20 Grand Slams each with peers Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer.
Australian Open 2022: Serena Williams- 23-times Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams was absent from the list. Williams, who won the last of her seven Australian Open titles in 2017, had an injury-disrupted season and has not played since she limped out of her first-round match at Wimbledon in June due to a leg injury.
Meanwhile, Nadal has confirmed he will play at Melbourne Park in January but Federer will miss the tournament as he is yet to recover from another knee surgery. The Australian Open begins on January 17 and the finals will be held on January 30.
Australian Open 2022: World No.1 Novak Djokovic named in main draw entry list of Australian Open, set to defend title under special provision in AO2022
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(with inputs from Reuters)
