Novak Djokovic granted vaccine ‘exemption’ to play 2022 Australian Open

Novak Djokovic has been granted an exemption to contest the Australian Open, but the decision has sparked a major backlash.

Novak Djokovic has confirmed he will contest this month’s Australian Open, revealing he has been granted “an exemption permission” to play.

There had been serious doubts the world No. 1 would travel to Australia to play the year’s first grand slam as he had refused to reveal his vaccination status.

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But the Serbian took to social media to announce he is coming to Australia to defend his title.

“Happy New Year, everybody!” Djokovic wrote on Instagram.

“Wishing you all health, love, and happiness in every present moment and may you feel love & respect towards all beings on this wonderful planet️.

“I’ve spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I’m heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let’s go 2022 !!”.

Tennis Australia and Australian Open organisers had made it clear all players must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have a medical exemption to participate in the tournament.

Djokovic has long been reluctant to say whether he is vaccinated, prompting speculation he would have to obtain an exemption to play in the Australian Open.

He had entered the ATP Cup but then withdrew from the Sydney tournament at the last minute, and even his would-be Serbian teammates were unsure if Djokovic would be able to play the Australian Open.

Up until recent days there had been fears the 34-year-old would miss the first grand slam of the year, with tournamant director Craig Tiley saying on Sunday Djokovic was leaving it “pretty late” to come to Australia.

“As far as the status relates to Novak, I think we’ll have a much clearer picture in the coming days otherwise it’s getting pretty late to show up and play the Australian Open,” Tiley told Channel 9.

“There’s quite a bit to play out and I think it will play out in the coming days.”

It’s unclear on what grounds Djokovic has obtained an exemption.

In a statement released on Monday night, the Australian Open confirmed Djokovic had been granted an exemption following a thorough review by two independent panels.

“Novak Djokovic will compete at the Australian Open and is on his way to Australia,” the statement read.

“Djokovic applied for a medical exemption which was granted following a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels of medical experts.

“One of those was the Independent Medical Exemtpion Review Panel appointed by the Victorian Department of Health. They assessed all applications to see if they met the Australian Technical Advisory Group of Immunisation (ATAGI) guidelines.”

Novak Djokovic has been granted an exemption to play the Australian Open. (Photo by MICHAEL DODGE / TENNIS AUSTRALIA / AFP)

Tournament director Craig Tiley said: “Fair and independent protocols were established for assessming medical exemption applications at will enable us to ensure Australian Open 2022 is safe and enjoyable for everyone.

“Central to this process was that the decisions were made by independent medical experts and that every applicant was given due consideration.”

According to the ATAGI’s guidelines on medical exemptions for Covid-19 vaccines, only those with an “acute major medical condition” would be allowed to enter Australia.

There are also non-medical exemptions which can be applied for to enter Australia, which Djokovic may have done, since he did not specify his exemption was medical.

Criteria for non-medical exemptions include a foreign national being deemed “in the national interest” or having “critical skills”.

His inclusion is a major boost for the Australian Open. Djokovic is a nine-time champion at Melbourne Park and will be chasing a record 21st grand slam title later this month, which would see him pass Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal with the most major titles by a men’s singles player.

However, he can expect to receive a frosty reception from crowds when he takes to the court Down Under.

Pundits have slammed the fact Djokovic has been given an exemption to enter the country, arguing it completely goes against the restrictions Australians have faced during the pandemic and flies in the face of soaring cases numbers.

Djokovic can expect a frosty reception at the Australian Open. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP)

“Reckon they’ve misread the room on the Novak decision,” Channel 7 sports reporter Ryan Daniels tweeted.

TV and radio host Andy Maher said: “Australians have been denied for two years, but this bloke — who’s taken extraordinary liberties in the face of the coronavirus — gets his exemption. Novak Djokovic is an all-time great, but he ain’t essential.”

Sports journalist Jon Ralph labelled the decision “farcical”.

“People will be going to bed right now to get up at 5am to do the right thing to get into testing queues for PCR results they won’t get for six days and will quarantine anyway,” he said.

“How bloody galling to see Novak get an exemption.”

Football writer Samantha Lewis added: “Everybody attending the Australian Open has a patriotic duty to boo Djokovic for the entirety of his stay.

“This is an obscene decision and organisers should be ashamed of themselves.”

AAP reporter Karen Sweeney tweeted: “Novak Djokovic is about to find out what it’s like to be despised by all of Australia. We’re all nice and laid back until we’re not.”

The Australian Open gets underway in Melbourne on Monday 17 January.