Djokovic Must Provide Evidence on Vaccine Exemption or Go Home: Australian PM

Novak Djokovic at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Image: PTI

While Novak Djokovic is preparing to defend his Australian Open crown later in January, he will need to prove that he has a genuine medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination on arrival. Australian PM Scott Morrison said in the event Djokovic does not satisfy the needs, he will be "on the next plane home".

Djokovic on Tuesday announced he received an exemption to play in the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne and said he was heading to Australia.

Tennis Australia and the Victorian state government said Djokovic was one of a "handful" of successful applicants among 26 people who sought exemptions from being vaccinated, but had not received any special treatment in the anonymous application process.

Notably, Djokovic has never spoken publicly about his vaccination status but he criticised mandates ruling that players must be double-jabbed.

"My view is that any individual seeking to enter Australia must comply with our border requirements. Now Novak Djokovic, when he arrives in Australia, he has to, if he's not vaccinated, must provide acceptable proof that he cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons to be able to access the same travel arrangements as fully-vaccinated travellers," Morrison told a media conference on Wednesday.

"So we await his presentation and what evidence he provides us to support that. If that evidence is insufficient, then he will be treated no different to anyone else and he'll be on the next plane home. There should be no special rules for Novak Djokovic at all. None whatsoever," he added.

Morrison added that any exemption given to Djokovic will still have to stack up upon arrival in Australia.

"There are other cases - there are quite a number over the last couple of years - where people have had these exemptions and have the suitable proof to support their claim in those circumstances. So the circumstance is not unique. The issue is whether he has sufficient evidence to support that he would qualify for the exemption," the Australian PM said.

Meanwhile, the organisers said that the defending champion has not been given special treatment, but the decision sparked sharp criticism in Australia, where more than 90 per cent of people over 16 have had two vaccine doses against COVID-19, but some people still cannot travel interstate or globally because of current measures.

The country is seeing tens of thousands of Covid-19 cases for the first time after enduring some of the world's strictest restrictions.

Djokovic is eyeing a tenth Australian open title and record 21st Grand Slam crown. The Australian Open begins on 17 January.

All players and staff at the Australian Open must be vaccinated or have an exemption granted by an expert independent panel.

(With Reuters inputs)