As of: 01/17/2022 3:59 p.m
The fact that Serbian tennis star Djokovic is not vaccinated could also become a problem in France. The reason for this is the new vaccination card law. After the end of the Australian Open, he could also be excluded from the French Open.
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic’s chances of attending the French Open in May have plummeted. France’s Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu made it clear that the new restrictions on unvaccinated people in France also apply to sports facilities. Spectators and athletes – including French and foreign professional athletes – must therefore be vaccinated or recovered, the minister said on Twitter.
“There is clearly no exception”
Parliament in Paris finally approved the new restrictions on Sunday evening. The regulation is intended to convert the currently valid health pass, which provides proof of vaccination, recovery or a current negative corona test, into a vaccination pass.
“The rule is simple: as soon as the law is announced, the vaccination card will be introduced in companies that are already subject to the health card,” said the Ministry of Sport in Paris. A negative test will soon no longer be enough to gain access to numerous places.
However, it is still a while before the French Open in Paris in May. “The situation may change by then and we hope it will become more favorable,” the ministry said. “So we’ll see, but there’s clearly no exception.”
Law in the case of recovered question not yet specific
It is still unclear whether Djokovic could take part in the French Open from mid-May to early June with proof of recovery. According to his own statements, he had tested positive for Corona in mid-December.
In principle, according to the draft law, “under certain circumstances” a recovery that was no longer than six months ago can be sufficient to participate in a public event. Which circumstances these are, however, has yet to be specified. The French Constitutional Council has yet to deal with the law.
Court decision ends days of bickering
World number one Djokovic would have actually wanted to play his first round duel at the Australia Open today. The 34-year-old wanted to defend his title. However, he was refused entry to Australia because he was not vaccinated against Corona. A federal court had confirmed the cancellation of the visa by the government on Sunday. Djokovic wanted to take part in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year with an exceptional permit. He had referred to a recovered status after a recent infection.
The court decision ended days of bickering that has drawn much attention and led to diplomatic tensions between Australia and Serbia.
Kecmanovic dedicates victory to his compatriot
While Djokovic returned to Serbia, fellow countryman Miomir Kecmanovic won his first-round match – and dedicated the win to Djokovic. “If I win my first round game, I will dedicate the win to Novak,” he said before the game. “It’s definitely terrible that they threw him out in this way,” said Kecmanovic after his victory and encouraged Djokovic: “He’s a wonderful champion. I hope he can come back even stronger.”
With information from Julia Borutta, ARD Studio Paris