According to Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrew, tennis players and athletes without vaccination are unlikely to get visas to enter Australia for the Australian Open to be held in Victoria.
The coronavirus pandemic seems to have set up another barrier for international athletes willing to participate in sporting events in Australia.
According to Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrew, tennis players and athletes without vaccination are unlikely to get visas to enter Australia for the Australian Open to be held in Victoria.
This raises doubt over World number one Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open title defense and bid for Grand Slam record.
Djokovic has once again refused to reveal his vaccination status this week and, owing to current Covid-19 restrictions, mulls over whether he will be able to defend his Australian Open title this year.
“I don’t think an unvaccinated tennis player is going to get a visa to come into this country and if they did get a visa, they’d probably have to quarantine for a couple of weeks,” Andrews said.
On being asked about Novak Djokovic’s participation, the Victoria Premiere said, “[The virus] doesn’t care what your tennis ranking is, or how many grand slams you’ve won.
It’s completely irrelevant. You need to be vaccinated to keep yourself safe and to keep others safe.”
The recent vaccine mandate introduced by Victoria does not clarify whether it is applicable for athletes from abroad or other Australian states.
According to Andrews, the mandate covers international athletes, and no special provisions will be made for athletes coming to compete at high-profile events.
The tournament organizers had to face several obstacles to hold the event this year, with the dates pushed back by three weeks and players made to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival in the country.
The Australian Open tournament is expected to proceed in January 2022, according to Tennis Australia.
WHAT DJOKOVIC HAS TO SAY
Novak Djokovic, who is tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on a record 20 Grand Slam titles, has plans to compete in the Paris Masters, the Davis Cup, and the ATP finals in Turin in the year 2021.
“Of course, I want to go, Australia is my most successful Grand Slam tournament. I want to compete, I love this sport and I am still motivated,” said Djokovic.
“I am following the situation regarding the Australian Open and I understand the final decision (on COVID-related restrictions) will be made in two weeks.
I believe there will be a lot of restrictions just like this year, but I doubt there will be too many changes.”
COVID RESTRICTIONS EASED
After the Australian Capital Region (ACT) became the first jurisdiction in the country to reach 80 percent double dose vaccination coverage for those above 12, non-essential retain will be allowed to open for the first time in Canberra since August 12 for a significant boost to the ACT’s economy.
According to the latest data released by the Department of Health, 68.3 percent of Australians above the age of 16 are fully vaccinated.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
After travel restrictions for 18 months, Australia is finally opening itself up to the world.
On Friday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Australia’s plan to lift the outbound international travel ban for its residents from November 1.
Despite that, there has been “no decision to allow other visa holders.” Each state and territory will have its cap arrangements regarding the number of incoming overseas travelers allowed after November 1.Â
“It’s for the Commonwealth government, the federal government, to decide when the border opens and shuts at an international level, and we will do that.
In the first instance, it will be for Australians, Australian residents and their families. We’ll see how that goes and then we’ll move to the other priorities,” said Morrison.
