Serbian tennis ace and world no. 1 Novak Djokovic said that he will be heading to the 2022 Australian Open after receiving a 'medical exemption'. Djokovic will not require to declare his Covid-19 vaccination status, which is mandatory for everyone traveling to Australia.
Novak Djokovic has refused to confirm if he has been inoculated with the double dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
"I've spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I'm heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let's go 2022!" the defending Australian Open champion said on Instagram.
Djokovic has previously expressed his opinions on the Covid-19 vaccine. “Personally I am not pro-vaccines," Djokovic was quoted by AFP in April 2020. “I would not like it for someone to compel me to be vaccinated so I can travel," he added.
Meanwhile, Tennis Australia maintains that no special favour has been granted to Novak Djokovic. “Any person who met those conditions has been allowed to come in. There’s been no special favour. There’s been no special opportunity granted to Novak," CEO of Tennis Australia, Craig Tiley told Channel Nine television.
The Serbian is entering the Australian Open in a quest to win his 21st grand slam. It would be a record in the men's tennis category. Djokovic will face tough competition from arch-rival Rafael Nadal. Nadal too will be hunting for his 21st grand slam title.
The Australian Open starts on February 8, 2021.