The German Davis Cup team boss Michael Kohlmann reacted with astonishment to Novak Djokovic’s exemption for an Australian Open start.
“I was also absolutely surprised,” said Kohlmann of the “German Press Agency”. “There are still many question marks. Hopefully they will be answered in the next few days and weeks before the start.” The apparently unvaccinated tennis world number one Djokovic had announced the day before that, thanks to a medical exemption, he would travel to Australia and compete at the Australian Open from January 17th to 30th in Melbourne.
The 34-year-old Serb had always left his vaccination status open. Only players who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus or who have received a medical exemption are allowed to take part in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.
“Now you have to wait and see what the reason is or whether there are other players who have received this exemption,” said Kohlmann, who is fighting with the German tennis men at the ATP Cup in Sydney on Thursday for a place in the semifinals . Djokovic canceled the team competition in Australia.
He hoped “that maybe a little light will come in,” said Kohlmann. “It would be interesting for all players and everyone who works in tennis to hear how it came about.” It is normal for Djokovic to try to get this exemption. “But the background would of course be interesting,” said the 47-year-old from Hagen and added: “We are already talking about how the Australian audience will greet him.”
Initial reactions in Australia were marked by anger and indignation. Many people expressed their anger in the media and social networks. One user called Djokovic’s participation a “slap in the face for all Australians”. The station “ABC” spoke of “anger and confusion”.
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