‘She makes her own decisions’: Barty won’t try to persuade teen Gadecki to get vaccinated

World No.1 Ashleigh Barty maintains the future is bright for Olivia Gadecki despite the emerging Australian teenager skipping the Australian summer because she doesn’t want to get vaccinated for COVID-19.

The Australian Open vaccine mandate is expected to see some tennis stars opting against a trip Down Under but it was revealed this week that 19-year-old Gadecki was among them.

Olivia GadeckiCredit: Getty Images

Gadecki, the world No.237, shot up the rankings this year and represented Australia in doubles at the Billie Jean King Cup finals. A year ago Gadecki did pre-season training with fellow Queenslander Barty.

Asked whether there was any way Barty would try and change her mind, the Wimbledon champion and Newcombe Medal winner said: “I’ve spoken to her a little bit. But she’s an adult and she has her own career and she makes her own decisions. That’s something that I’ve said to her a lot of the time.

“For me, I’ve grown up and made my own decisions. I’m accountable for my own decisions. She’s done the exact same thing.

“I’m not in a position where I’m going to try and persuade and do anything in a sense to change her mind. I’m here as a friend to support her and love her.”

Barty has only had limited contact with Gadecki on the road in 2021.

Ashleigh Barty (right) lends her support to Olivia Gadecki at Melbourne Park.

While the Australian Open, and other Australian tournaments, will be the first time where vaccination has been mandatory for players, other events are expected to follow suit.

Barty is convinced that successful days lie ahead for Gadecki, who was tipped to receive an Open wildcard.

“I’ve seen her a handful of times on the road. I haven’t seen her since she’s been home. We haven’t been able to find time to connect together,” she said.

“It was a decision for her. It doesn’t change our relationship. It changes absolutely nothing from what I think about Liv. She’s a great person and she’s an extreme talent. She’s going to have a very successful career. Even though we won’t be seeing her this Australian summer, it’s going to be really exciting when we do see her again.”

The Victorian government on Friday also expressed confidence in the rigour of the Australian Open’s review process for medical exemptions from COVID-19 vaccination.

Tennis Australia, working with Victoria’s Department of Health, said the two-level system had been finalised.

TA said the process would involve a three-person medical panel, made up of experts from immunology, infectious diseases and general practice, assessing medical data of an applicant. The identity of the applicant will remain anonymous in the process.

If the person was deemed exempt from vaccination, the Department of Health will then convene a separate independent medical exemption review panel to review the finding.

If the application passes both panels, it will be submitted to the Australian Immunisation Register.

Victorian Sports Minister Martin Pakula said the system will set a precedent for major events.

Double exposure: Novak Djokovic has said getting the vaccine should be up to the individual.Credit: Getty

“This will apply to anyone in the AO that applies for a medical exemption, bear in mind that the vaccinated economy rules haven’t been in place for all that long,” Pakula said.

“This is the first big event that it’s relevant, so it may well be a precedent for others.

“We are happy there is some rigour around the process, we think it leads to the best possible outcomes. They want the safest possible event for players and fans. That involves having the most rigorous medical exemption process.”

The status of world No.1 Novak Djokovic remains clouded, with the Serbian having declined to reveal his vaccination status. Djokovic is listed to represent Serbia in the ATP Cup in Sydney next month, with the tournament held under the same protocols as the Australian Open.

Djokovic is also on the initial entry list for the first grand slam of 2022. If he played at Melbourne Park, Djokovic will be attempting to win a record-breaking 21st grand slam tournament, and his 10th Australian Open title.

Pakula said Djokovic was not getting special treatment, and any unvaccinated person involved in the Australian Open would only be allowed in if they were granted a medical exemption.

“If he [Djokovic] chooses not to get vaccinated, and he’s not eligible for a medical exemption then he won’t [get in] and that will be a matter for him,” Pakula said.

“The fact is the vaccination economy rules for everyone have the exemption for genuine health reasons.

“If the public thought there was some sort of shortcut process then they would be right to be uneasy about that, but that is what we are trying to avoid.

“Everyone that participates should be vaccinated unless they have a genuine exemption as to why they shouldn’t be. It’s a medical process. It’s not for me, the Premier, or any other political to determine if someone’s claim of medical inability to be vaccinated is a valid one.

“That is something that has to be verified by medical professionals.”

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said organisers wanted the safest possible event for all participants.

“We’ve worked closely with the Victorian government to establish fair and independent protocols for assessing medical exemption applications that will enable us to ensure Australian Open 2022 is safe and enjoyable for everybody,” Tiley said.

“Central to this process is that the decisions will be made by independent medical experts and that every applicant gets due consideration.”

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