The world's top-ranked men's tennis player, who is unvaccinated against Covid-19, will compete in the upcoming Australian Open despite the tournament's vaccine requirement: here's what medical exemptions are generally accepted by the tournament's governing body.
After months of speculation, it was confirmed Tuesday that Novak Djokovic would be in the Australian Open.
The images were provided by Corbis.
Only a few valid medical exemptions for the Covid-19 vaccine were listed in the most recent guidelines set forth by the Australian Technical Advisory Group On Immunisation.
A positive test result for the virus within the last six months and an "acute medical condition" such as "undergoing major surgery or hospital admission for a serious illness" are among the exemptions.
On Tuesday, he said he had received an exemption permission, and that he had not tested positive for the virus within that time frame.
There are two rare exemptions that were approved by the ATAGI, one of which was related to a prior Covid-19 vaccine dose without a valid alternative.
Tennis Australia said Tuesday that the Covid-19 vaccine exemption was granted to the Serbian tennis player by the Victorian Department of Health based on the recommendations of two separate panels of medical experts.
There has been controversy regarding his attitude towards Covid-19. He said that he wouldn't want to be forced to get a vaccine in April 2020, and that he tested positive for the virus after being seen at a Serbian nightclub. The status of the Australian Open was put in serious doubt after he pulled out of the last month's ATP Cup in Australia and refused to reveal his vaccination status.
Chief critic.
Tennis Australia granted an exemption to the Serbian star, but many questioned if it was due to his fame. Jamie Murray, the 19th-ranked men's doubles player, said Tuesday that he wouldn't be getting an exemption if he wasn't up to date with his vaccinations.
What to watch for.
Other Grand Slam tournaments treat players differently. The U.S. Open requires proof of vaccine for spectators and Wimbledon requires a negative Covid-19 test for fans. The French Open will be the next Grand Slam tournament.
13 of the 50 highest-paid athletes wouldn't say if they were vaccinated.
After securing a medical exemption, Novak will compete in the Australian Open.
The medical exemption was granted to defend the Australian Open title.
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