Novak Djokovic might opt out of January’s Australian Open grand slam if Covid vaccination rules are not eased, said his father Srdjan Djokovic.
The world number one has refused to reveal his vaccination status despite the organisers of the tournament insisting that all players arriving in Australia have to be vaccinated to participate.
The Serb’s participation has thus been the subject of much debate in Australia, as lawmakers and politicians argued whether vaccination was mandatory.
Now, his father has opened up on it, slamming the organisers for forcing players to be vaccinated.
“As far as vaccines and non-vaccines are concerned, it is the personal right of each of us whether we will be vaccinated or not. No one has the right to enter into our intimacy,” Srdjan told Serbia TV Prva.
“Under these blackmails and conditions, [Djokovic] probably won’t [play]. I wouldn’t do that. And he’s my son, so you decide for yourself.”
The Australian Open would be Djokovic’s best chance to go one clear of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on the list of all-time Grand Slam winners, as all three of them are tied on 20. Federer is out with an injury and Nadal slowly returning from one.
Djokovic is the defending champion and has won the slam a record nine times.
The tournament begins on January 17.
