Novak Djokovic’s father alleged that the organizers of the Australian Open had “blackmailed” him. But this claim has been rejected by the Australian Open authorities.
A senior official told AFP that vaccinations were a priority for players’ safety.
Djokovic will now look for his 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. If he succeeds, he will set the record for the most Grand Slam wins by a single player.
It was not immediately clear if Djokovic had been vaccinated against coronavirus. The father of the star at the top of the rankings is a well-known Serbian businessman.
He told the country’s TV channel on Sunday that Djokovic would “probably” not play in the Australian Open because of the mandatory vaccination rules. But he definitely wants to play there. But I don’t know if that will happen. That may not be the case with blackmail. ”
Meanwhile, Victoria Sports Minister Martin Pakula, who is hosting the Australian Open, said he was looking forward to seeing Djokovic compete in the Australian Open.
“As an international tennis player or any other athlete, it is our responsibility to welcome him here,” he told the media. That’s why we’re telling international tennis players to follow the rules that Victoria’s residents follow. It’s not about blackmail, it’s about ensuring that Victorians (citizens of the state of Victoria) are safe.
