TO nothing helped a large team of lawyers and the desperate search for some legal quibble: Novak Djokovic, 34, not admitted to the Australian Open starting today in Melbourne, had to leave Australian territory immediately (he landed, via Dubai, in his Belgrade at 12.15 today). Not only that: the Serbian tennis player, number 1 in the world, will have to also bear the legal costs.
But the annus horribilis – that’s what we want to call it, given how it started – of the sportsman may not have ended here. In fact, they could soon be excluded from the Australian Open follow others of equally important tournaments. In fact, the Roland Garros, where last year he triumphed by beating Stafanos Tsitsipas in the final.
Djokovic kisses the cup after victory at Roland Garros (Instagram)
The French minister: “Mandatory pass for French and foreigners”
Also in France there are many no vax, who do not miss an opportunity to make protests and mobilizations, but the super green pass is about to come into effect in the area and no exceptions will be made, not even for foreign athletes. Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu was clear on Twitter. “The vaccination pass was adopted“, he wrote.
As soon as the law is promulgated, “will become mandatory for entry into public buildings already subject to the health pass. AND will be valid for all: spectators, athletes, professionals and non-professionals. French and foreigners. We will work together for preserve competitions and to be the ambassadors of these measures at the international level ». Arguments are not allowed.
Other tournaments at risk for Novak Djokovic
And the list of tournaments about to skip could be even longer. Novak Djokovic also risks exclusion a Wimbledon and Us Open, the other two Slam tournaments. The historic tournament on the grass, in fact, until today has not provided for exemptions. This means that the number 1 in the world will also have to comply with the quarantine and all other mandatory health restrictions, unless the rules change between now and next June. And, given the number of infections, at the moment it does not seem plausible.
Without forgetting that in March there are also the two American Masters 1000: Indian Wells Masters (California) e Miami Open (Florida). And here the rules of the US Open would apply: the US government does not allow entry to non-vaccinated people, even if they have contracted the virus. Another exemption is needed, otherwise he will have to skip these competitions as well. Throwing away, in fact, a year of tournaments.
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