Australian Open 2022: Victoria State Premier declares, ‘No unvaccinated players at Aus Open’- The latest decision from Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews has put a question on World No.1 Novak Djokovic and a number of other unvaccinated tennis stars. Andrews said his government will not apply for travel permits to allow unvaccinated tennis players to compete at the Australian Open.
Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic doubtful to compete as Victoria State Premier says NO to unvaccinated players
“On behalf of every vaccinated Victorian who has done the right thing, my government will not be applying for an exemption for any unvaccinated player,” he told reporters.
“If we don’t apply for an exemption, then no exemption will be granted and then the whole issue is basically resolved.”
Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic doubtful– Novak Djokovic has declined to disclose their vaccination status. Last week, Serbian said he might not play at the tournament.
“People go too far these days in taking the liberty to ask questions and judge a person. Whatever you say ‘Yes, no, maybe, I am thinking about it’, they will take advantage,” he added.
Djokovic, who is tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on a record 20 Grand Slam titles, said he wants to compete in the Australian Open.
“Of course I want to go, Australia is my most successful Grand Slam tournament. I want to compete, I love this sport and I am still motivated,” he said.
The development comes even Prime Minister Scott Morrison indicated they would be allowed into the country. On Wednesday, he said that unvaccinated players would be free to compete at the Grand Slam after undergoing a two-week COVID-19 quarantine provided that Victoria, which hosts the tournament in Melbourne, applied for permits for them.
“All the same rules have to apply to everyone,” he was quote as saying by Seven Network.
Australia Open 2022: COVID-19 situation
- Professional athletes in Victoria are under a vaccine mandate, which also covers coaches, officials, media and other staff involved in elite competition.
- Andrews said tennis players should be held to the same standard as everyone else at the event.
- Currently, around 70% of the top 100 men and women tennis players are vaccinated.
- Australia’s borders have been effectively sealed for 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though authorities approve travel exemptions for special cases.
- Victoria has been Australia’s hardest-hit state, with its capital Melbourne locked down six times. The sixth lockdown ended on Friday, but only for fully vaccinated adults.
- Unvaccinated adults remain banned from pubs, restaurants, sporting events and other parts of the economy, and maybe shut out until well into 2022.
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Victoria’s position is a blow for the Grand Slam’s organisers Tennis Australia, who want a strong field for the tournament in January.
Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic doubtful to compete as Victoria State Premier says NO to unvaccinated players
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Source: Reuters
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