Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic may be forced to miss multiple grand slams

The Australian Open may not be the only Novak Djokovic-less event in 2022 after a contradiction limited his options for a 21st grand slam.

Just over a week after French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu said Novak Djokovic would likely be able to defend his French Open title, it appears the door may have been shut by the nation’s government.

Djokovic’s dreams of earning his record 21st title were dashed on Sunday when he was deported from Australia over his coronavirus vaccination status after losing a court case to overturn his visa cancellation.

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But while he had a rosier prospect of playing at Roland Garros to defend his title in France, Djokovic's vaccination status may end his French Open defence before it begins.

The Serbian superstar, who has refused to get the Covid-19 jab, would be stymied by France’s vaccine pass law which was approved by parliament on Monday and means people need to have a vaccination certificate in order to enter places such as restaurants, cafes, cinemas and long-distance trains.

For ordinary citizens entering France it is not obligatory to be vaccinated but it will be for those wishing to enter an establishment which has a public attendance (ERP).

Major events like the French Open previously permitted non-vaccinated athletes to compete as they operated a health bubble around the tournament.

While it appears to close the door on Djokovic’s hopes of competing in Paris, the situation may change between now and when the French Open starts in late May, especially considering the French Presidential election takes place in April.

“The rule is simple. The vaccine pass will be imposed, as soon as the law is promulgated, in establishments that were already subject to the health pass,” the French sports ministry said.

“This will apply to everyone who is a spectator or a professional sportsperson. And this until further notice.

“Now, as far as Roland Garros is concerned, it’s in May. The situation may change between now and then and we hope that it will be more favourable. So we’ll see, but clearly there’s no exemption.”

Djokovic is the defending French Open champion as well. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

All athletes who wish to compete in France will have to be vaccinated against Covid-19, government sources told AFP on Monday.

It appears to contradict what Maracineanu told radio station France Info last week when asked if Djokovic would be able to get a special exemption.

“There are health protocols imposed for major events by the relevant federations which would permit someone like Novak Djokovic to enter the country,” Ms Maracineanu said at the time.

“In France today we do not have the same regulations as Australia for entry to the country, either for athletes or any citizens from other countries.

“An athlete who is unvaccinated can compete in an event because the protocol, the health bubble for these major events, permits that.”

Maracineanu added that she hoped the situation would be clearer by May, when the French Open is scheduled to get underway.

But speaking after the legislation was passed, the head of French president Emmanuel Macron’s ruling party Stanislas Guerini slammed Djokovic’s behaviour as “irresponsible”.

“Australia is a sovereign country which makes it rules and the rules should be respected,” Guerini said.

“We can’t have two weights and two measures regarding the Covid Pass. If you are called Djoko, Nadal or Mr Whoever, you respect the rules.

“All the big events which will take place in France will adopt the Covid Pass. Who would understand if we asked our citizens to make an effort and respect the rules and we then authorised some to get out of them?”

ESPN’s Niamh Lewis tweeted the rules could have huge implications on some big international events.

“If the rules continue into the summer, it would cause havoc with the French Open, Tour de France, next month’s Six Nations et al. Possibly other grand tours which dip into France as well,” she wrote.

The first major event to be directly affected would be the upcoming Six Nations rugby championship when France will host Italy (Feb 6), Ireland (Feb 12) and England (March 19).

This measure would dash 34-year-old Djokovic’s hopes of defending the title and potentially an unprecedented 21st Grand Slam singles crown.

Djokovic’s calendar might open right up. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Can Djokovic play Wimbledon?

The British government’s rules say unvaccinated visitors to the UK must take a Covid-19 test two days before travelling and then quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. They must also undergo PCR tests on days two and eight of that quarantine.

Quarantine exemptions are available on medical grounds but the Australian Financial Review reports it’s “unlikely” Djokovic would qualify for one. Being stuck inside for 10 days would severely hamper the Serb’s preparation for the third grand slam of the year.

Wimbledon kicks off on June 27 but it’s not yet known what rules the tournament itself will have regarding unvaccinated players, in addition to government-imposed regulations.

Can Djokovic play the US Open?

This looks like a tough ask for Djokovic, with America requiring non-US citizens to be fully vaccinated to enter the country. Although there are exceptions to that rule, the Washington Post reports “most of them would not seem to apply to Djokovic”.

Adding to the issue is New York’s vaccine mandate, which prevents unvaccinated players from competing in the city where the US Open is held.

NBA star Kyrie Irving is unable to play home games for the Brooklyn Nets because he remains unvaccinated. The mandate covers all New York City workers and private sector employees, so just where Djokovic falls under those categories may be up for debate.

Djokovic was deported on Sunday night. Photo by Mell CHUN / AFP

Rafael Nadal could move one ahead of him and Roger Federer if he wins the Australian Open.

New York Times tennis correspondent Christopher Clarey added that regardless of what happens when the French Open rolls around, being unvaccinated was always going to make it more difficult to be a professional sportsperson who travels the world.

“No surprise but it will get more complicated for Djokovic to play a full schedule if he remains unvaccinated. French Open is latest problem. Government now saying even foreign athletes need to be vaccinated to enter stadiums. Change before May? We’ll see,” Clarey said.