Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic’s vaccination uncertainty delivers perfect chance for cheap political point-scoring

World No.1 Novak Djokovic is yet to publicly commit to playing in the Australian Open but he’s already become a political pawn in the vaccination debate

Novak Djokovic’s playing status for the Australian Open remains unclear because of the vaccination mandate. Picture: AFP

Looking for someone to blame, make an example of or direct anger at is human nature.

It’s happening again with nine-time Australian Open champion and world No.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic, who is an easy target of people hunting for cheap point-scoring.

Djokovic might already be the sport’s greatest of all-time but there’s also a huge disparity in his public perception.

His followers are some of the most ardent in any field – sport, politics, anything – yet his critics are in no doubt he’s a villain.

Maybe it’s because he has alternative views, maybe it’s because he can be demonstrative on court or maybe it’s just that Roger Federer’s fans are threatened by him.

Then there is Djokovic’s refusal to reveal his Covid-19 vaccination status and therefore his participation at Melbourne Park.

It’s the perfect cocktail for him to become a political pawn.

It’s still unclear whether Serbia's Novak Djokovic will make the trip to Melbourne for the Australian Open. Picture: AFP

While being careful not to name Djokovic specifically, Victorian Premier Dan Andrews suggested this week that Tennis Australia could have the final say on medical exemptions for global tennis stars.

It was a thinly veiled shot at not only Djokovic but the thoroughness of the exemption process. He added that some exemptions were “granted in very questionable circumstances”.

Andrews made clear he wasn’t in charge of the process. Do we ever know who’s in charge?

His idea came only hours after Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley distanced the tournament and TA from medical exemptions.

As opposed to Andrews, Tiley tried to add validity to the independent process: “It’s very specific as to what is eligible or not, and then that goes through to that expert panel and they’ll make a call.”

Tiley also explained the panel of specialists was not privy to the identity of exemption applications.

But the outraged sceptics are out in force, assuming Djokovic will receive a free pass on his name (and I can’t even go to the shops!).

World No.1 Novak Djokovic could win a 10th Australian Open title in January. Picture: AFP

There is just enough uncertainty about the Serbian superstar’s plans that speculation and pseudo facts are rife, including, but not restricted to, reporting of ‘loopholes’ and exemptions.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison weighed in, too, saying Djokovic wouldn’t receive any special treatment. The story just keeps growing legs, and the political flexing is out of control.

Former Australian Open tournament director and tennis great Paul McNamee described the medical exemption talk as “a fantasy of the media”.

As already mentioned, there’s rarely middle ground in any Djokovic discussion – and it’s possible we will never know what he’s been up to, if anything, even if he ends up competing in Melbourne.

Djokovic certainly won’t be pressured into spilling the beans.

The vaccine mandate and the Andrews government’s ongoing handling of the Covid-19 pandemic remain divisive topics.

Almost as divisive as Djokovic, you might say.

Originally published as Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic’s vaccination uncertainty delivers perfect chance for cheap political point-scoring