(Reuters) -ATP, the governing physique of males’s tennis, applauded Monday’s Australian court ruling that allowed No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic to stay in Melbourne and compete in subsequent week’s Australian Open.
In a press release, the group stated the dispute over Djokovic’s COVID-19 vaccine medical exemption and associated occasions have been “damaging on all fronts.” The scenario highlighted the necessity for clearer understanding and communication of the foundations, ATP stated.
“We welcome the result of Monday’s listening to and look ahead to an thrilling few weeks of tennis forward,” the group stated in a press release.
Judge Anthony Kelly dominated that Australia’s resolution to revoke the Serbian tennis star’s visa was “unreasonable” and ordered Djokovic launched from immigration detention. The authorities has stated it was nonetheless contemplating one other approach to deport him.
“In touring to Melbourne, it is clear Novak Djokovic believed he had been granted a vital medical exemption so as to adjust to entry laws,” the ATP stated in a press release.
“The collection of occasions main to Monday’s court listening to have been damaging on all fronts, together with for Novak’s well-being and preparation for the Australian Open,” stated ATP, which confronted criticism from some gamers for not talking out in Djokovic’s protection.
The ATP added that it strongly recommends all gamers get vaccinated and stated 97% of the highest 100 gamers have been vaccinated.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles and Amy Tennery in New York, modifying by Pritha Sarkar and Cynthia Osterman)
