Novak Djokovic has cast doubt on his defence of the Australian Open title and insisted his vaccination status is a “private matter” after officials warned that players who have not been inoculated against Covid-19 may be denied a visa to enter the country.
Djokovic, who has not played since his defeat to Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final, has returned to the practice court and intends to compete at next month’s Paris Masters and the ATP Finals in Turin, before ending his season with the Davis Cup.
The world No 1’s plans for the Australian Open are less clear, however, after he told the Serbian news outlet Blic that he is awaiting confirmation of the proposed vaccination requirements and quarantine restrictions before making a decision about his participation.
“I do not believe that the conditions will change much in relation to what we already know,” said Djokovic, who has won nine of his 20 grand slam titles at Melbourne Park. “As was the case this year, there will be plenty of restrictions.
“I still don’t know if I will play in Melbourne. I don’t know what my schedule will be. There is too much speculation. The media speculates a lot, and that bothered me.”
Daniel Andrews, the premier of Victoria, the state in which the Australian Open is staged, said it was unlikely athletes would be allowed into the country without a Covid jab.
“I don’t think an unvaccinated tennis player is going to get a visa to come into this country, and if they did get a visa they’d probably have to quarantine for a couple of weeks,” said Andrews.
“If I’m wrong, I’m sure the federal government will let you know.
“[The virus] doesn’t care what your tennis ranking is, or how many grand slams you’ve won. It’s completely irrelevant. You need to be vaccinated to keep yourself safe and to keep others safe.”
Djokovic, whose defeat to Medvedev saw him fall one match short of completing the first calendar-year grand slam since 1969, has previously expressed misgivings about mandatory vaccination. He declined to reveal whether he has since been immunised.
“I will not reveal my status, whether I have been vaccinated or not, it is a private matter … and an inappropriate question,” said Djokovic.
“I take the position I take, and have always thought the same. People go too far these days in taking the liberty to ask questions and judge a person. Whatever you say – ‘Yes, no, maybe, I am thinking about it’ – they will take advantage.
“Of course I want to go, Australia is my most successful grand slam tournament. I want to compete, I love this sport and I am still motivated.”