WORLD NUMBER 1 Novak Djokovic will be allowed to play at the Australian Open in Melbourne after declaring that he has gained a medical exemption from being vaccinated against Covid.
The Serbian has been in the media for refusing to get the vaccine and will make the journey down after long battles and hesitancy to get any form of vaccination.He has remained firm on his stance. It was decided that all players would have to be double-jabbed before taking part in the Australian Open. The Serbian would not comply.
He has recently been pictured in Marbella practicing, despite pulling out of this week's ATP Cup competition in Sydney.
The nine-times champion posted a picture on Instagram in the early hours of Tuesday morning stating that he had received a medical exemption from being vaccinated against Covid The 34-year old revealed that he would be playing in the Australian Open after receiving an 'exemption permission' to secure his place.
Australian Open organizers say the medical exemption was granted through a 'rigorous review process' that went via the country's Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ATAGI) guidelines.
The process for getting an exemption is run independently of Tennis Australia and involves two separate medical panels from government health authorities. The guidelines for getting an exemption require an 'acute major medical condition' in the individual.
Many fans took to social media to disapprove of the exemption
One user said: Novak Djokovic receives an exemption to compete in the Australian Open unvaccinated. Gee. That’s a shock! Not!
Another said:
Australians have been denied for two years, but this bloke - who’s taken extraordinary liberties in the face of the coronavirus - gets his exemption. Novak Djokovic is an all-time great, but he isn't essential.
Australians have been denied for two years, but this bloke - who’s taken extraordinary liberties in the face of the coronavirus - gets his exemption. Novak Djokovic is an all-time great, but he ain’t essential.
— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) January 4, 2022
Victory would make Djokovic the most successful male player in Grand Slam history with a 21st title. The Serbian will be the favorite and could do just that.
See More: Australian Open, Novak Djokovic, Tennis
