Novak Djokovic at the 2021 Australian Open. Photo: Bai Xuefei/Xinhua via Getty
Novak Djokovic has been granted a medical exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine requirement at the Australian Open and will be competing in the tournament, Djokovic announced and the Australian Open confirmed on Tuesday.
Why it matters: Djokovic, the world's No. 1 tennis player, had so far not revealed his vaccination status and it was unclear whether he would play in the tournament, per the Washington Post.
- Australian Open director Craig Tiley said that everyone at the tournament without a medical exemption must be fully vaccinated, per the statement.
Details: The exemption was granted after two reviews, the first from a non-government panel and then a government-appointed panel, according to Open organizers.
What they're saying: “I’ve spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I’m heading Down Under with an exemption permission,” Djokovic wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.