Screenshot of foreign media reports
On December 18, Beijing time, according to Tennishead, there were rumors that Novak Djokovic had applied to the Australian Open for an exemption from the new crown virus vaccine, but in this regard, former Australian Open CEO Paul McNamee said that the rumor "absolutely no substance".
The 2022 Australian Open will take place in January next year. Earlier, tournament director Craig Tiley had announced that if a player wanted to compete in the first Grand Slam event of the new season, he would have to complete 2 COVID-19 vaccinations.
So far, ATP is now the world's number one Djokovic has not announced his vaccination status, and even publicly announced that he refused to disclose. This also makes it uncertain whether the Australian Open nine-time champion will finally succeed in his challenge to win four and ten consecutive titles.
However, since he has already been selected for Serbia's squad for the ATP Cup and the australian open's announced roster, there are rumors that he has applied for a medical exemption.
Djokovic's journey to defend his title is in doubt
But the Australian Tennis Association categorically denied the rumors, with tournament director Terry even revealing that "everyone will be on this roster, but it's not a list that confirms the race." (everyone goes on the entry list, it’s not a commitment list.)”
Former Australian Open CEO McNamee told Australian radio show Sportsday that he felt the rumors were "fantasies" and that the whole story was "unfair" to Djokovic.
The four-time doubles Grand Slam winner said: "It's made up. I call it a fantasy. The story you see on the front page of the Herald Sun has absolutely no basis in fact. ”
"The story that says he's applied for a medical waiver, I mean, it's all a fantasy."
"If he had done that, we wouldn't have known anyway. Even journalists couldn't confirm it. I also met Mark McGowan (Governor of Western Australia) yesterday. ”
Australian Open Infographic
"It's possible: someone can apply, and he can be one of them. However, to say that Novak Djokovic has applied for a waiver is absolutely unfounded. Why would he apply for a medical waiver? I mean, he's the healthiest guy in the world. McNamee exclaimed.
"He's alluding to [using] his right to privacy, but it seems to me that he's definitely not applying for a waiver." That's a complete fantasy. That whole story was unfair to him. ”
"In fact, Mark McGowan wrote yesterday that he [Djokovic] seems to be the victim of all his mean remarks."
"I fully understand and agree with our government's decision, but I think people should stop being so critical of him, and that's why I'm speaking."