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The uncertainty is over: Novak Djokovic is allowed to travel to Australia with a special permit and takes part in the Grand Slam tournament.
Legend:
Can defend his title in Melbourne
Novak Djokovic.
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After weeks of back and forth, record champion Novak Djokovic will now take part in the Australian Open. As the 34-year-old Serb announced on Instagram on Tuesday, he is traveling with a special permit to the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, which starts on January 17th.
“Djokovic has applied for a medical exemption, which was granted after a strict test procedure with the participation of two independent medical expert committees,” said the organizers. In it, tournament director Craig Tiley again referred to “fair and independent protocols”.
What exactly justified the exemption for the industry leader, however, remained open.
Djokovic has not published his vaccination status. All participants in the Australian Open must be vaccinated or present a medical exemption. The Australian authorities had emphasized in December that medical exemptions were “no loophole for privileged tennis players”.