Australian Open 2022: Ash Barty, Sam Stosur back government process on medical exemptions as Novak Djokovic decision nears

There will be unvaccinated tennis players competing at the Australian Open after receiving medical exemptions

Australian Open boss Craig Tiley, pictured right with Novak Djokovic, is still unsure whether the world No.1 will play in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Australian and international tennis stars say they will have no problem going head to head with an unvaccinated opponent who received a medical exemption.

World No.1 Ash Barty and retiring great Sam Stosur were among the players quizzed on the topic on Monday, with both of them backing the government and tournament process.

All players and support staff must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or have a medical exemption, to be involved in the Australian tennis summer.

They had to return a negative test in the 72 hours before flying to Australia, as well as on arrival and their sixth day in the country, as Norway’s top-10 star Casper Ruud highlighted at the weekend.

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley revealed on Sunday some players informed him they had received a medical exemption from being vaccinated.

Two independent panels filled with medical experts scrutinise each application anonymously.

“It’s a tricky one for me, because it’s not my decision. We put the trust in those people who are making those decisions,” Barty said.

Ash Barty won’t be wasting energy thinking of which opponents might be unvaccinated. Picture: AFP

“They have the correct information. That’s what it is – that’s all it is. There’s nothing else to it.

“That’s the very last thing I’m thinking of when I’m on the court; is the medical history of the player on the opposite side.”

Stosur said she hoped the exemptions were for “the right reasons”, given how much Victoria, in particular, had gone through.

The Australian Open and its lead-in events are the first to mandate vaccination for players and it remains to be seen if fellow tournaments will follow suit.

But, as Tiley pointed out, his organisation had done the heavy lifting, with a significant vaccination uptake among players.

However, there is still no clarity either way on the world’s top-ranked men’s player, Novak Djokovic, who was spotted training with Australian Open tennis balls in Spain in recent days.

We can confirm @DjokerNole is ready for @AustralianOpen if possible! pic.twitter.com/q9WJFzBU41

— SotoTennis Academy (@SotoTennis) December 31, 2021

Djokovic has repeatedly refused to declare his vaccination status or if he will travel to Melbourne for the Australian Open.

The 20-time grand slam champion withdrew from this week’s ATP Cup, with his Serbian teammate Dusan Lajovic saying he was unaware of the reason he did so.

The final Tennis Australia-organised charter flights are set to arrive in the country this week, and Tiley expected the Djokovic saga to come to a head soon.

“As far as the status relates to Novak, we will have a much clearer picture in the coming days,” Tiley told the Nine Network.

“Otherwise, it’s getting pretty late for him to show up and play in the Australian Open.

“What I am aware of is the same as everyone else. Novak’s made it clear that he wouldn’t disclose his medical conditions, or whether or not he’s vaccinated.

“It’s his choice to do that. There’s quite a bit to play out, and it will play out in the coming days.”

Originally published as Australian Open 2022: Ash Barty, Sam Stosur back government process on medical exemptions as Novak Djokovic decision nears