So now after all: Novak Djokovic is allowed to start at the Australian Open with a special permit. The vaccination status of the number one in the tennis world remains unclear.
Novak Djokovic leaned casually on his fully loaded baggage cart at the airport and then announced the news that the tennis world had been waiting for so long. “I spent a fantastic time with my loved ones during the break and am on my way to Down Under today with a special permit,” wrote Djokovic on the Instagram social network: “Let’s go in 2022 !!”
Organizers: No special rights for Djokovic
After weeks of back and forth and ongoing speculation, the record champion will now take part in the Australian Open. Apparently without vaccination, which is actually a prerequisite for participating in the first annual highlight from January 17th to 30th. The 34-year-old Serb recently missed the opportunity to comment on his vaccination status several times.
“Djokovic has applied for a medical exemption, which was granted after a strict review process with the participation of two independent medical expert panels,” said the organizers of the Australian Open in a statement. In it, tournament director Craig Tiley again referred to “fair and independent protocols”.
The organizers resolutely opposed the possible impression that a celebrity like Djokovic could receive special rights. What exactly justified the exemption for the industry leader, however, remained open – which did not satisfy all doubters.
Tennis colleagues express criticism
“I think if I weren’t vaccinated I wouldn’t get a special permit,” said British professional Jamie Murray on the sidelines of the ATP Cup in Sydney. And the Australian Alex de Minaur said: “I just think it’s very interesting. That’s all I say about it.”
Most recently, the deputy prime minister of the state of Victoria, James Merlino, stressed that medical exemptions are “no loophole for privileged tennis players”. Overall, a handful of professionals should benefit from it – and Djokovic is one of them.
Djokovic can become the record champion
The world number one had skipped the ATP Cup without giving any reason, in which the German and Russian top players Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev, among others, played the last two biggest opponents of the successful athlete from Belgrade. Djokovic had meanwhile prepared in Marbella and is now attacking again in Melbourne.
The defending champion is interested in significant entries in the history books of the sport. He has already won the Australian Open nine times and could become the major record champion with his tenth triumph. He is currently at 20 Grand Slam victories and is on par with the Spaniard Rafael Nadal and the Swiss Roger Federer. While Nadal is also at the start of the Australian Open, Federer will be out for a long time after the next knee operation.
Djokovic’s participation in Melbourne Park is undoubtedly a win for the tournament from a sporting point of view. And it will provide information on whether the trend from the second half of 2021 will solidify. The longtime tour dominator has recently had more and more trouble to assert himself against his ambitious pursuers. Zverev grabbed Olympic gold, Medvedev snatched his chance for the Grand Slam at the US Open. Now the “Djoker” wants to fight back. With an exemption.
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