Unvaccinated players will not have special waivers to participate in the Australian Open, the head of government of the state that organizes the tennis tournament said on Wednesday, which could leave out the world number one, Novak Djokovic.
A leaked email this week suggested that players without coronavirus inoculation could participate in the Australian Grand Slam if they were quarantined for 14 days.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said then that players without vaccination could enter the country if they receive an exception that the state of Victoria should request from players.
But the head of the Victorian government, Daniel Andrews, ruled out that option.
“We are leaving unvaccinated people out of bars, cafes, restaurants and the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) and many other events,” he said.
“We are not going to ask for an exception, therefore the issue is resolved,” he said.
The Australian federal government controls the borders and issuance of visas in the country.
But during the pandemic, state governments have controlled quarantine centers and vaccination orders, leaving it unclear who has the final say with the Australian Open rules.
Djokovic, a nine-time Australian Open winner, is one of many players who have refused to reveal whether they are vaccinated, casting doubt on whether he can defend his title at the January tournament at Melbourne Park.
The 2021 Open was hit by the pandemic, and all players had to undergo two weeks of quarantine, while the presence of the public was restricted and a five-day lockdown was imposed in the middle of the tournament.
A message from the Women’s Tennis Association, which was leaked on Monday, noted that unvaccinated players could compete in the 2022 tournament if they quarantine at the hotel and undergo regular tests for the coronavirus.
According to that email message, fully vaccinated players could enter Australia without the need for quarantine.
Tennis Australia said this week that it is working with the Victorian and federal governments to define entry conditions, and is “optimistic that we can hold the Australian Open as close to pre-pandemic conditions as possible.”
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