Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic DOUBTFUL- 20-times Grand slams champion and current World No.1 Novak Djokovic is unlikely to play at the Australian Open. With just 6 weeks left for the tournament, World No.1’s father Srdjan Djokovic revealed that if rules on COVID vaccinations are not relaxed, the Serbian will withdraw from the tournament. Follow Australian Open latest updates on InsideSport
The year’s first Grand Slam organisers have said that vaccination against COVID is mandatory for all the players to take part in the tournament.
Australian Open 2022: World No.1 Novak Djokovic likely to skip Australian Open over vaccine mandate, says father
Also read: Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic remains non-committal about Australian Open participation
Meanwhile, Australian Open defending champion Djokovic has so far declined to disclose his vaccine status. His father told Serbia’s TV Prva that governing body Tennis Australia’s stance on players being vaccinated was tantamount to “blackmail”.
“As far as vaccines and non-vaccines are concerned, it is the personal right of each of us whether we will be vaccinated or not. No one has the right to enter into our intimacy,” news website B92 quoted Srdjan as saying.
“Under these blackmails and conditions, (Djokovic) probably won’t (play). I wouldn’t do that. And he’s my son, so you decide for yourself.”
Australian Open 2022: Djokovic has won record nine Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open, including this year’s tournament. He shares the record of 20 men’s Grand Slam titles with Swiss Tennis Maestro Roger Federer and French Open legend Rafa Nadal.
Meanwhile, Nadal has confirmed he will play at Melbourne Park in January but Federer will miss the tournament as he is yet to recover from another knee surgery. The Australian Open begins on January 17 and the finals will be held on January 30.
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Australian Open 2022: World No.1 Novak Djokovic likely to skip Australian Open over vaccine mandate, says father
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