TENNIS – Despite doubts surrounding its possible vaccination against Covid-19, Serbian world number one Novak Djokovic is among the players announced for the next Australian Open this Wednesday, December 8. The tennis player will try to win a 21st Grand Slam title, which would constitute a new record and allow him to overtake Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
At the time of writing this article on Wednesday morning, the world number one had not spoken officially since the announcement by the organizers of the tournament of his presence next January.
Mandatory vaccination
The one nicknamed “Nole” has always left doubt about his participation in the Australian Open. To enter Australia, one must be vaccinated against the coronavirus, but the player has so far refused to say if he is.
Novak Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, recently told Serbian television that “Nole” would “probably not” go to the Australian Open, denouncing a “blackmail” by the organizers. The latter also recalled that all players, their entourage and members of their management should be vaccinated to participate in the Open.
“Any request for exemption will have to follow strict government requirements,” added the Australian federation. “Any allegation suggesting that the federation seeks to circumvent these rules is simply false,” she said. Indeed, some media have raised the possibility that the organizers of the tournament, with the support of Tennis Australia, were seeking to allow Djokovic to benefit from an exemption.
“Everyone is eager to attend the Australian Open, and all those who will take part – spectators, players, managers, managers – will have to be fully vaccinated”, the Deputy Prime Minister of State of Victoria, Australia, James Merlino. “It is the rule. The medical exemptions are only medical exemptions, they are not means of circumventing these rules for privileged tennis players ”, he insisted.
Serena Williams withdraws
Among the players announced against Djokovic is Rafael Nadal, also in search of a 21st Grand Slam title. Roger Federer will be absent from the competition. Also holder of 20 crowns in Grand Slam, the Swiss had already announced that he would not take part in the tournament.
On the women’s side, world number one Ashleigh Barty will try to be the first Australian to win at home in 44 years, and will have to count in particular on the presence of the Japanese star Naomi Osaka, but also of all the members of the World Top 20. .
In contrast, Serena Williams, in search of a 24th Grand Slam title that would allow him to equal Margaret Court’s record, will not be in Melbourne in January. The 40-year-old American explained that she had given up following the advice of her medical staff. “It’s not an easy decision to make, but I’m not where I should be physically,” she said.
“Melbourne is one of my favorite cities to visit, and every year I look forward to competing in the Australian Open. I will miss the fans, but I’m excited to come back and play at my best, ”added the seven-time Australian Open winner.
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This article originally appeared on The HuffPost and has been updated.
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