Tennis Australia has confirmed no medical exemptions have yet been granted for the Australian Open next month. All players must be fully vaccinated to compete in the Grand Slam at Melbourne Park.
World number one Novak Djokovic has not revealed his vaccination status yet. But according to the reports, he could use the medical exemption as a loophole to allow him to play. However, in a recent interview, Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley revealed that no player will be granted an exception. Unless it is for medical reasons approved by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ATAGI).
No medical exemptions granted yet for Australian Open
“No one can play the Australian Open unless they are vaccinated. Either a double-dose of the required vaccines or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson, which is an approved vaccine. The only condition outside of being vaccinated that you could compete is if you received a medically approved exemption from Australian authorities.” Tiley said
“There is an independent panel of medical specialists, and they see a blind copy of the medical exemption request. International tennis players have the exact same conditions as anyone coming to Victoria or [to] Australia. No benefit is provided to them under any condition [other than an approved medical exemption].”
Tiley also clarified that no player on the entry list has been granted a medical exemption so far and that Djokovic will have to be fully vaccinated if he wants to play at the Australian Open.
“There have been no medical exemptions that have been granted this morning. He (Novak Djokovic) needs to be fully vaccinated (if he wants to play the Australian Open). He can apply for an exemption, just like everybody else. I am not privy to any medical condition he does or does not have. But I can assure you he will have to go through the exact same process that anybody coming into Victoria will have to,” he added.
