Tennis Australia boss wants Novak Djokovic to reveal why he received a vaccine exemption

Tennis Australia bosses have called on Novak Djokovic to answer this question after he was granted an exemption to play at the Aus Open.

Tennis Australia want Novak Djokovic to reveal why he got the vaccine exemption.

Tennis bosses want star player Novak Djokovic to explain his exemption after he was allowed to compete in this year’s Australian Open despite his controversial stance on vaccines.

The world No.1 player, who won’t reveal his vaccination status, announced in a social media post that he would be heading to Melbourne to compete.

Players must be vaccinated against Covid-19 or have a medical exemption to play in the Australian Open.

The decision to grant Djokovic an exemption has created enormous backlash given Australia’s Covid situation and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ bold claim that only vaccinated players would be allowed to compete.

Tennis bosses and Victoria’s Acting Sports Minister Jaala Pulford were grilled about the decision to allow the controversial tennis player into the country on Wednesday morning.

“We’re just not in a position – even legally – not in a position to disclose other people’s medical information,” Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley told reporters.

Novak Djokovic has an exemption to travel to and enter Australia.

He said they could not reveal why Djokovic was granted a medical exemption as they did not receive it and it was up to the individual to share the reasons.

“It’ll certainly be helpful if Novak was to explain the conditions in which he’s sought an exemption … but ultimately it’s up to him,” Mr Tiley said.

He encouraged Djokovic to explain it because it would help him and the community, but he would not be forced to reveal the reasons behind it, Mr Tiley said.

“We’ve been through a very tough period over the past two years and we would appreciate some answers to that,” the Tennis Australia boss said.

Acting Premier Jacinta Allan echoed this sentiment, saying it was the “decent thing to do” and the government expected Djokovic to explain his stance.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic will play in this year’s Australian Open despite refusing to reveal his vaccination status. Picture: David Gray / AFP

“It’s the government’s expectation that when he does arrive, he explains to the Victorian community what the circumstances (of his exemption) and can explain some of these motives behind his actions and his intentions in playing here in Australia,” Ms Allan said.

She also reiterated it was the federal ATAGI guidelines that allowed Djokovic into the country.

But Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was a matter for the Victorian government.

“They have provided him with an exemption to come to Australia, and so we then act in accordance with that decision,” he said.

The reason for Djokovic’s exemption was not an “unreasonable thing” for Victorians to have answered, Sports Minister Jaala Pulford told reporters.

Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley spoke about Novak Djokovic on Wednesday. Picture: Michael Klein

But she denied the nine-time Australian Open champion was granted special treatment.

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Ms Pulford said.

Tennis authorities were also grilled about the veracity of Djokovic’s medical documents, but chief medical officer Carolyn Broderick said they were not doing an “intelligence operation”.

“In some instances they requested additional information but, no, they wouldn’t have contact with doctors from another country,” she said.

However, they were checking for official seals on any medical documentation and the decision wasn’t just based off text messages, she said.

Reasons for an exemption include anaphylactic response, any adverse reaction to any vaccination, surgery, myocarditis or having had Covid in the last six months.