Controversial satellite No.1 men's tennis subordinate Novak Djokovic has been granted a aesculapian exemption to play astatine the Australian Open this month.
The Serbian superstar has continually refused to divulge his COVID-19 vaccination presumption and tonight's improvement has triggered furious statement among tennis fans - and Australian nine successful general.
"Happy New Year, everybody! Wishing you each health, love, and happiness successful each contiguous infinitesimal and whitethorn you consciousness emotion & respect towards each beings connected this fantastic planet," Djokovic wrote connected Instagram on with a photograph of him astatine an airdrome and bags of luggage.
LIVE UPDATES: Follow each the latest enactment from the ATP Cup
READ MORE: New twist successful NFL star's explosive abrupt exit
READ MORE: Khawaja brought successful to Test squad to regenerate Head
"I've spent fantastic prime clip with my loved ones implicit the interruption and contiguous I'm heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let's spell 2022!!"
Tennis Australia aboriginal released a connection confirming that Djokovic had been granted an exemption and that helium would play astatine the the AO.
AO tourney manager Craig Tiley said players indispensable beryllium afloat vaccinated, unless determination was a "genuine reason" wherefore an exemption should beryllium granted.
The 2022 ATP Cup volition beryllium held successful Sydney from January 1-9, with unrecorded matches, highlights, mini matches and afloat lucifer replays connected Stan Sport. New customers tin commencement their escaped proceedings present by visiting: Stan.com.au/tennis
Organisers person not revealed immoderate details of Djokovic's exertion "to guarantee privacy," truthful it is not known connected what grounds helium applied oregon qualified for the aesculapian exemption.
"Fair and autarkic protocols were established for assessing aesculapian exemption applications that volition alteration america to guarantee Australian Open 2022 is harmless and enjoyable for everyone," Tiley said.
"Central to this process was that the decisions were made by autarkic aesculapian experts and that each applicant was fixed owed consideration."
TA said the reappraisal process was "rigorous" and progressive 2 abstracted panels.
"One of those was the Independent Medical Exemption Review Panel appointed by the Victorian Department of Health," the connection said.
"They assessed each applications to spot if they met the Australian Technical Advisory Group connected Immunisation guidelines."
Djokovic has won a grounds 9 Australian Opens and is chasing a grounds breaking 21st men's expansive slam singles rubric successful Melbourne.
He is presently level with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal connected 20.
The Victorian Government said its "independent and rigorous process" had been acceptable up specifically "to measure requests for aesculapian exemptions astatine the Australian Open."
Victoria's Deputy Premier James Merlino claimed successful December that determination would beryllium nary peculiar favours for superstars.
"They're the rules," Merlino said.
"Medical exemptions are conscionable that - it's not a loophole for privileged tennis players."
For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
English (US) ·