Exemption for Djokovic

“Happy New Year everyone,” the 34-year-old Serb wrote on social media: “I spent a fantastic time with my loved ones during the break and today I’m traveling Down Under with an exemption. Let’s go 2022!”.

Almost two weeks before the start of the first Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season, months of speculation about the top star's participation come to an end. The Australian Open in Melbourne starts on January 17th. Only players who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus or who have received a medical exemption are allowed to take part. Independent committees The organizers said the exemption was granted after a strict review involving two independent expert committees. Fair and strict rules have been put in place for medical exemption applications to ensure the Australian Open is “safe and enjoyable for everyone,” tournament director Craig Tiley said. The central point is that the decisions were made by independent experts. The nine-time Melbourne winner Djokovic had always left his vaccination status open. He had at short notice forgone his originally announced start at the current ATP Cup – the team event that serves as preparation.

Novak Djokovic takes part in the Australian Open. © APA/afp / DAVID GRAY

With his announcement, the top star is now raising new questions: Why is he an exception? Why are the organizers giving him – apparently even as a possibly unvaccinated person – the chance to defend his title? “We would love to see Novak here, but he knows he has to be vaccinated to play,” tournament director Tiley said in November.

Djokovic will try to win the Australian Open for the tenth time in Melbourne. With his 21st Grand Slam title he would become the sole record holder. He currently shares the record with his rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

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Exemption for Djokovic

The 20-time Grand Slam tournament winner Novak Djokovic will compete at the Australian Open with an exemption. The world number one announced this on Tuesday.

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