Under Australian law, Djokovic can be banned from the country for three years, although Home Secretary Karen Andrews has not ruled out an exemption. “Each application will be judged on its merits,” she said.
The Australian Open is the first grand slam of the tennis season. The second is the French Open at Roland Garros, which will be held between May 22 and June 5.
But all professional athletes wishing to compete in France must be vaccinated against Covid-19, France’s Sports Ministry told DailyExpertNews on Monday.
France’s vaccine law, passed by parliament on Sunday, requires people to have a vaccine certificate to enter public places such as restaurants, cafes, cinemas and sports arenas.
“The rule is simple. The vaccine pass will be required as soon as the law comes into force in institutions that have already been subject to the health pass (sporting or cultural). This will apply to everyone (spectators, professional athletes), “a French sport told a spokeswoman for the ministry to DailyExpertNews.
That new legislation jeopardizes the chances of Djokovic, who has not been vaccinated against Covid-19, to participate in the French Open.
The French Open previously allowed unvaccinated players to compete because they operated in a bubble around the tournament.
Djokovic is the reigning men’s singles champion on the clay courts of Roland Garros. Together with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the 34-year-old Serb has won 20 Grand Slam titles.
“As for Roland Garros, it is in May. The situation may change by then and we hope it will be more favorable. So we will see, but now it is clearly no exception [from the rules]’ the spokeswoman added.
