Tennis: Tennis-Djokovic not sure over Australian Open involvement, will not reveal vaccine standing

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BELGRADE (Reuters) – World primary Novak Djokovic as soon as once more declined to disclose whether or not he has been vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 and mentioned he was not sure if he would defend his title at subsequent 12 months’s Australian Open.

The state of Victoria, the place the Grand Slam occasion takes place in Melbourne, has launched a vaccine mandate for skilled athletes, though authorities haven’t but clarified what the requirement will probably be for these coming from overseas.

“Issues beings as they’re, I nonetheless do not know if I’ll go to Melbourne,” Djokovic advised the net version of Serbian every day Blic.

“I cannot reveal my standing whether or not I’ve been vaccinated or not, it’s a personal matter and an inappropriate inquiry.

“Folks go too far nowadays in taking the freedom to ask questions and choose an individual. No matter you say ‘Sure, no, possibly, I’m excited about it’, they are going to take benefit.”

Djokovic has received the season’s opening Grand Slam a file 9 instances, together with the final three editions.

The 34-year-old final competed on the U.S. Open, the place his bid to finish the calendar slam — profitable all 4 majors in the identical 12 months — was ended by Russian Daniil Medvedev within the remaining.

Djokovic, who’s tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on a file 20 Grand Slam titles, mentioned he plans to compete within the Paris Masters, the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin and the Davis Cup earlier than the top of 2021.

“After all I wish to go, Australia is my most profitable Grand Slam event. I wish to compete, I really like this sport and I’m nonetheless motivated,” he mentioned.

“I’m following the state of affairs relating to the Australian Open and I perceive the ultimate choice (on COVID-related restrictions) will probably be made in two weeks. I consider there will probably be a whole lot of restrictions identical to this 12 months, however I doubt there will probably be too many modifications.

“My supervisor, who’s involved with the Australian Tennis Federation, tells me they’re attempting to enhance the circumstances for everybody, each for individuals who have been vaccinated and those that haven’t.”

(Reporting by Zoran Milosavljevic, writing by Alasdair Mackenzie, modifying by Pritha Sarkar)



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