World tennis number one Novak Djokovic, "Novax", on his way to Melbourne
Novak Djokovic will controversially be able to defend his title in Melbourne OSCAR DEL POZO AFP / File
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
It is a surprise for many since the Serbian tennis player has never disclosed his vaccine status vis-à-vis Covid 19, but it is an essential condition to enter Australia and participate in the Australian Open.
The 34-year-old has announced that he has been granted a medical exemption.
This news was not well received in Australia where the population has suffered very severe restrictions over the past two years.
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From our correspondent in Sydney
,
Grégory Plesse
On his way to clinching his 21st Grand Slam title, and thus overtaking his rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, it is not sure that Novak Djokovic will receive much support from spectators in Melbourne…
The announcement of its participation in the tournament, on the basis of a medical exemption from vaccination against Covid 19, is freshly received in Australia, currently submerged by the Omicron wave ... The country has every day some 50,000 new daily cases of contamination .
"We are waiting for his presentation and for him to provide us with evidence to support" this waiver, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said at a press conference.
Australian players James Duckworth and Alex de Minaur were among the first to respond.
They struggled to hide their surprise:
James Duckworth:
"
If he meets the criteria, he should be able to come ...
"
Alex de Minaur:
“
It's very politically correct on your part (laughs). For my part, I find that ... very interesting. I wouldn't say more ...
"
To appease the mounting anger, the president of Tennis Australia, Craig Tiley (Milk size) reaffirmed this Wednesday morning that the Serbian player had not received any preferential treatment: "
We understand and sympathize with those who are angry by the coming of Novak, because of his statements over the past two years on vaccination. But I really want to stress that he did not receive preferential treatment. Even if it is the impression that it gives
”.
The world number one is due to land in Australia today. where the local tabloids have already given him a nickname, "Novax".
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