Sydney: Unvaccinated tennis players will be permitted to enter Australia for the Australian Open in January if they undergo a two-week COVID-19 quarantine, according to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
“All the same rules have to apply to everyone,” Morrison told Seven News. “Whether you`re a Grand Slam winner, a prime minister or a business traveller, a student or whoever. Same rules. The states will set the rules about the quarantine as they are.”
The Prime Minister’s declaration is highly favourable for Tennis Australia, which wants Serbian world number one Novak Djokovic and other star players whose vaccination status is unknown to compete in the Grand Slam.
However, Morrison’s words contrasted with those of his immigration minister, Alex Hawke, who stated last week that tennis players and other sports would need to be double-vaccinated before entering the country.
The quarantine restrictions will very definitely be strictly enforced in the state of Victoria, where the Melbourne Park- venue of the tournament is situated.
The policy adjustment is certain to spark debate in Victoria, which has been subjected to six lockdowns since the global health crisis began. Following negotiations with the men’s ATP and women’s WTA tours last week, tournament organiser Craig Tiley announced the policy adjustment.
A vaccine obligation applies to professional athletes in the state, as well as coaches, officials, the media, and other members of the elite competition crew. Tennis Australia spent tens of millions of dollars on biosecurity for the last edition of the tournament in February, including housing Djokovic and other elite players in luxury lodgings in Adelaide during their quarantine period.
If Djokovic decides to go to Australia, he will be expected to win a record 21st Grand Slam men’s singles title, breaking a tie with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
