A poisoned gift… Here is what looks like the “medical exemption” granted to Novak Djokovic to be able to participate in the Australian Open, from January 17th to 30th.
The Serb, who never wanted to say whether or not he was vaccinated against Covid-19, revealed the news on Tuesday, before tournament organizers confirmed it.
"It would certainly be useful if Novak explained the conditions under which he requested and obtained an exemption," Craig Tiley, director of the event and also president of the Australian federation (TA), said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“I encourage him to talk to the community about this… We have been going through a very difficult time over the past two years and I would appreciate some responses to that,” he added, visibly embarrassed.
"There was no special favor"
The Australian tennis boss, however, said that the world number 1 had not received any preferential treatment to obtain this exemption, during a process supervised by the Australian authorities and those of the State of Victoria.
A total of 26 players or members of their staff, out of the 3,000 or so who made the trip to Australia, requested an exemption and only a few of them were satisfied, he said.
“Anyone who meets the conditions has been allowed to enter.
There was no special favor.
There was no special treatment given to Novak, ”insisted Craig Tiley.
One way of responding to Jamie Murray, doubles specialist and brother of Andy, who released Tuesday: "I think if I had not been vaccinated, I would not have had an exemption, but good for him .
"
If he wins his tenth Australian Open, Djokovic would sit on the tennis throne alone, with 21 Majors.
Not sure though that he will widen the circle of his fans.
Sport
Australian Open: The vaccine exemption of Novak Djokovic, a counterproductive decision for everyone?
Sport
Australian Open: Unvaccinated but beneficiary of a "exemption", Novak Djokovic announces himself in Melbourne
Antivaccine
Melbourne
Covid 19
Australia
Anti-covid vaccine
Novak Djokovic
Australian Open
Coronavirus
Sport
Tennis
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