Monday 29 November 2021
Australian Open probably without a star
Djokovic’s father suspects blackmail
Tennis top star Novak Djokovic is a vaccine skeptic, the world number one expressed criticism in many cases of requirements for players. At the first Grand Slam tournament of the new season, only vaccinated professionals are allowed to compete, as the tournament boss made very clear. That creates trouble.
The participation of the Serbian world number one Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open remains questionable because of the tennis star’s vaccination skepticism. “Under these extortions and circumstances, it is likely that he will not take part,” said his father Srdjan Djokovic on the Serbian television channel Prva TV.
The background: only tennis professionals vaccinated against Corona are allowed to play in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year from January 17th to 30th in Australia. The defending champion has so far left his vaccination status and start in Melbourne open. The 34-year-old had stated several times in the past that his vaccination status was a private matter. Elderly Djokovoc made a similar statement in the televised conversation.
“Everyone has the right to choose their own health. Whether or not to be vaccinated is everyone’s choice,” he said. He doesn’t think the son will reveal his vaccination status. But he also doesn’t know how his son will decide. Even if he did, he wouldn’t talk about it on TV. “He has the right to decide how he wants,” said Srdjan Djokovic.
If the Serb were to compete in Melbourne, he could overtake Swiss Roger Federer and Spaniard Rafael Nadal with his 21st Grand Slam title. However, tournament director Craig Tiley had commented directly on the nine-time Australian Open champion at the end of the previous month. “We’d love to see Novak here but he knows he has to be vaccinated to play,” said Tiley.