Victorian Mayor issues ultimatum for tennis players ahead of the 2022 Australian Open

Victorian Mayor issues ultimatum for tennis players ahead of the 2022 Australian Open

Australian Open

World No.1 Novak Djokovic fell short at the final hurdle in his lifetime goal of achieving a Calendar Slam at the 2021 US Open. In the process, the Serb also missed the opportunity to surpass rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the all-time Grand Slam leaders list.

That said, Djokovic will be eyeing to win his 21st Grand Slam and create history at the 2022 Australian Open in Melbourne. Considering that 34-year-old is the greatest Australian champion in history, Djokovic will fancy his chances to winning his 10th title Down Under.

While the next generation of players in Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev will make a strong case in 2022, Djokovic will start as the overwhelming favourite in Australia.

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However, it will be interesting to see how the top-ranked player will respond to the new, stringent policy by the Victorian government. As reported by Reuters, the Australian state has made it compulsory for every athlete to be fully (two doses) vaccinated for Covid-19, in order to participate in sporting events.

Explaining the situation to Reuters, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said, “Ultimately, if you want to come to work and you’re on the authorised list, you need to have your first jab by (Oct. 15).”

Will Djokovic relent?

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

Given Djokovic’s resistance to taking the Covid-19 vaccine, it will be interesting to see how the situation pans out. In all likelihood, the Serbian superstar will have to reconsider his decision, for him to win his 10th title in Melbourne.

Unless an athlete abides by the state rules, he/she will not be allowed even enter the Victorian territory. Given the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in Australia, it appears that the delta variant has been causing stress in Victoria. Not only tennis stars, but even the England Cricket Team which will be visiting the Australian shores, later in the year has been asked to get fully vaccinated.

“I don’t issue passports or visas … but I think it is highly unlikely that the Commonwealth government will be letting anybody into this country that has not been double-vaxxed, certainly in the medium term,” Daniel Andrew added.

Also read: ‘Casper Ruud will win the French Open by 2024,’ says Patrick McEnroe