Australian Open chief executive Craig Tiley is confident vaccination rates among tennis players throughout the globe will rise to beyond 95 per cent by January.
The reigning champion of the Australian Open, 20-time grand slam winner Novak Djokovic, has refused so far to reveal his vaccination status.
But the Victorian government has remained defiant in its stance that no player will compete in the Australian Open if they are not fully vaccinated.
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Tiley is confident about the vaccination rates less than two months out from the Melbourne Park event, set to begin on January 17.
“We have always said from the beginning that we support and follow the direction of health (officials) and the chief health officer, as well as the government,” Tiley told SEN.
“Six weeks ago, only 50 per cent of the global playing group (were vaccinated), because each of them are independent contractors; they don’t have a union that dictates what they can do. They make their own decisions.
“Today, more than 85 per cent are (vaccinated). We take a lot of credit for that, because we put a vaccination requirement on (playing in the Australian Open).
“We think by the time we get to January it will be between 95 per cent and 100 per cent vaccinated, because if you’re not, you cannot play.
“There are one or two players that obviously have medical conditions, as there are in the community. There is a medical condition exemption but it’s a very high bar to get across.
“Everything’s exactly in line with what the health mandates are, and so it should be, because there shouldn’t be any preferential treatment for anyone coming into the state, comparative to what the regular community is going through.”
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It’s actually not known if Djokovic has had the jab, but his refusal to confirm, anti-vaccination comments and unconventional approach to health have led many to assume that he has not been vaccinated.
The Serbian was given another reason to get the jab, if he hadn’t, when Spaniard Rafael Nadal revealed earlier this month that he would compete in the Australian Open.
The smart tip is that Djokovic wouldn’t be willing to miss the Australian Open given he, Nadal and Switzerland’s Roger Federer are all equal on 20 grand slam wins. Federer has withdrawn from the event due to a knee injury.
“He has not shared his status with anyone,” Tiley said of Djokovic.
“He believes that what you say about your medical position and status is private, and he believes people should have the right to choose.
“We have made it very clear that coming to play the Australian Open, the requirement is to be vaccinated – and approved vaccines, as well.”
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Tiley said he believed the crowd would treat Djokovic with respect if he did compete in Melbourne despite having “a view that some share and the majority don’t”.
“One thing is for sure – if Novak is here in January, we’ll know that he’s vaccinated,” Tiley said.
“So, regardless of someone’s position, all the players will need to be – and show proof of – a vaccination, even to come into Victoria.
“We’ve got the majority of the players in that position, and that has been a journey in itself, as well, because it’s not a requirement anywhere else in the world.”