This is the last article you can read this month
You can read more article this month
You can read more articles this month
Sorry your limit is up for this month
Reset on:
Please help support the Morning Star by subscribing here
NOVAK DJOKOVIC will play at the Australian Open after being granted a medical exemption from being vaccinated against Covid-19, it was announced today.
Tournament chiefs confirmed today morning that Djokovic will defend his title even though having the vaccine is a requirement to play in Melbourne.
The reasons for being granted an exemption, after what Tennis Australia insists is a “rigorous review process,” will remain private according to tournament director Craig Tiley.
The build-up to the season’s first grand slam has been dominated by whether the world number one and nine-time champion, who had steadfastly refused to say whether he has been vaccinated, would be able to compete.
That speculation was heightened after he pulled out of the Serbia team competing at the ATP Cup in Sydney without explanation.
An Australian Open statement read: “Novak Djokovic will compete at the Australian Open and is on his way to Australia.
“Djokovic applied for a medical exemption which was granted following a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels of medical experts.”
