Djokovic heading to Australian Open with Covid-19 exemption

Novak Djokovic is en route to the Australian Open

World number one Novak Djokovic said Tuesday that he was heading to the Australian Open to defend his title after being granted a Covid-19 medical exemption to play.

All participants at the opening Grand Slam of the year, which starts on January 17, need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 or have the exemption, which is assessed by an independent panel of experts.

"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!" the nine-time Australian Open winner, who beat Daniil Medvedev in last year's final, said on Instagram.

"Djokovic applied for a medical exemption which was granted following a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels of medical experts," Tennis Australia said in a statement.

Tournament director Craig Tiley last week confirmed a number of players had been granted exemptions, without naming Djokovic, while explaining the process involved.

"Against the ATAGI [Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation] guidelines, an exemption gets granted or not. The reason for granting that exemption remains private, between the panel and the applicant."

"Central to this process was that the decisions were made by independent medical experts and that every applicant was given due consideration," he said.

"Personally I am not pro-vaccines," said Djokovic.

"But if it becomes compulsory, what will happen? I will have to make a decision."

However, when his alternative remedy did not work he opted for surgery in 2018 although he regretted doing so on a personal note.

Djokovic has received support from his family too over his Australian conundrum.

Government officials in Victoria state, which hosts the Australian Open, had been adamant for months that only vaccinated players would be able to play the tournament.

Confirmation that the Serbian superstar is en route sets the scene for a showdown with arch-rival Rafael Nadal, with both gunning for a record 21st Grand Slam title.

Fellow 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer is sidelined by injury and not travelling to Australia.

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