Novak Djokovic Risks Missing French Open After Sports Ministry Approves 'Vaccine Pass Law'

French Sports Ministry said the Serbian Tennis legend could be 'barred' from participating in the French Open as there would be no exemption from France's new vaccine pass law.

World Number One Tennis Player Novak Djokovic, Photo Courtesy: PTI

New Delhi: After being deported from Australia after failing to win court case to get his visa cancellation overturned, World number one Novak Djokovic, who has not been vaccinated against Coronavirus, dealt with another major blow on Monday after French Sports Ministry said the Serbian Tennis legend could be 'barred' from participating in the French Open as there would be no exemption from France's new vaccine pass law.

In order to protect its citizens from Covid-19 amid the resurgence of the dreaded infection, the French Parliament on Sunday gave approval to a new law, which makes it mandatory for people to have a vaccine certification to enter public places like cafes, cinemas, restaurants and long-distance trains.

"The rule is simple. The vaccine pass will be imposed, as soon as the law is promulgated, in establishments that were already subject to the health pass," the ministry said, Reuters reported.

"This will apply to everyone who is a spectator or a professional sportsperson. And this until further notice.

"Now, as far as Roland Garros is concerned, it's in May. The situation may change between now and then and we hope that it will be more favourable. So we'll see, but clearly there's no exemption."

Novak Djokovic, who is not vaccinated against Covid-19 landed in Australia's Melbourne claiming exemption and the government there has a strict policy due to the ensuing pandemic.

The Federal Court of Australia upheld the government's decision to cancel Djokovic's visa who had not submitted his Covid-19 vaccination status after which he was deported out of the country, ruling him out of the upcoming Australian Open.