Tennis professional Novak Djokovic is said to reveal the background to his medical exemption, which enables him to play in Melbourne at the Australian Open. That is what tournament director Craig Tiley calls for. “It would be very helpful if Novak explained the basis on which he applied for and received the waiver,” said Tiley.
Because of the pandemic, society has had two difficult years, “we would be grateful for a few answers,” said Tiley. At the same time, the 60-year-old defended the integrity of the exception procedure. Of the around 3,000 people who were part of the entourage of the Australian Open, 26 people had applied for a special permit to enter the country. Only a few applications were granted.
“Anyone who met the requirements was allowed entry. Nobody was privileged, there was no special treatment for Novak,” said Tiley. Djokovic has not published his vaccination status. All participants in the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year (starting January 17), must be vaccinated or present a medical exemption.
“If he refuses to be vaccinated, he shouldn’t be let in,” says a prominent doctor
In Australia, the announcement that Djokovic could compete with an exemption was met with anger and indignation. In the media and social networks, many people vented their anger, one user called Djokovic’s participation a “slap in the face for all Australians” and spoke to many Australians from the soul. ABC spoke of “anger and confusion” across the country. “I don’t care how good he is as a tennis player. If he refuses to be vaccinated, he shouldn’t be let in,” said prominent Victoria doctor Stephen Parnis. The exemption for the Serbian tennis star is “a terrifying message” to millions of Australians.
Melbourne sports reporter Andy Maher said that even numerous Australians had been denied permission to enter their home country for two years, “but this guy – who has taken extraordinary liberties in the face of the coronavirus – gets his exception.” Djokovic is a great athlete, “but he is not indispensable”. Journalist Samantha Lewis tweeted that it was “the patriotic duty” of all viewers to boo Djokovic during his entire stay.
World number one Djokovic has won the Australian Open nine times and with his tenth triumph could also become the major record champion. He is currently on par with Rafael Nadal (Spain) and Roger Federer (Switzerland) with 20 Grand Slam titles.