Novak Djokovic cleared to compete at the Rome Masters amidst vaccination drama

Novak Djokovic cleared to compete at the Rome Masters amidst vaccination drama

Novak Djokovic

20-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic has had a fair share of bad luck this season. Due to his vaccination stance, he was denied entry into Australia and hence wasn’t allowed to defend his Australian Open title. He was also denied entry into the USA as a result of which he wasn’t able to compete at the ‘Golden Swing’.

Djokovic is expected to have some luck with rules in the European clay season. He already competed in Monte Carlo where he bowed out of the first round and this week, he is competing on home soil at Belgrade. Djokovic has planned to play the next two big events before the French Open- Madrid and Rome Masters but his participation was doubtful given the constant change in rules of the respective countries.

But now, the President of the Italian Tennis Federation has confirmed that Djokovic is cleared to play the Rome Masters due to the new ruling. “The rules regarding players’ participation are established by the government and the ATP,” federation president Angelo Binaghi said at the presentation.

Binaghi swiftly indicated that he had discussed the issue around Djokovic with Valentina Vezzali, the Italian government’s cabinet undersecretary in charge of sports. “[ATP president Andrea] Gaudenzi is nearly at the finish line. He’s obtained approval from all of the stakeholders. The only thing missing is a question pertaining to TV rights,” Binaghi said.

A good chance for Novak Djokovic to defend his points from 2021

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

According to the current ruling, Italy requires either proof of vaccination against COVID-19, proof of recovery from infection, or a negative test. But things will be very easy for Djokovic after this current ruling.

Last year at the Rome Masters, Djokovic made it to the final where he lost to Rafael Nadal in a thriller. Hence, he will be defending his 600 points from the final he made last year before the French Open.

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