Australian tennis legend Todd Woodbridge says it’s likely world No.1 Novak Djokovic will have no choice but to get vaccinated if he’s to continue his Australian Open dominance.
The Australian Open isn’t scheduled to start until January 17, but according to The Age, it’s expected a vaccine mandate will be put in place for tennis stars to play in Melbourne this summer.
Djokovic, who has had his own battles with coronavirus, has remained tight-lipped on his vaccination status, but in recent times has refused to be a spokesperson for getting the vaccine.
“I feel like that should be always a personal decision, whether you want to get vaccinated or not. So I’m supportive of that,” Djokovic said last year. “So whether someone wants to get a vaccine or not, that’s completely up to them. I hope that it stays that way.”
Woodbridge says he can’t see a scenario where Djokovic can compete in Australia next year unless he’s vaccinated.
“It’s difficult,” Woodbridge told 2GB’s Wide World of Sports radio.
“He’s obviously had COVID-19 … he probably feels he’s got some special strength against it.
“The reality is, the rest of the world is doing what we’re doing. I think at some point you probably think he’s going to have to get vaccinated.
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“It’s going to be taken out of Tennis Australia’s hands, it will be what the government decides you’ve got to do to get into the country.
“If he wants to come and play in the Australian Open, it’s looking likely he will have to take that vaccination.
“Personally I think that’s a good thing. But it has been put out there for a while now to the playing group that this is the most likely scenario if you want to come down to Australia.”
The 34-year-old, a nine-time Australian Open champion, is just one trophy away from overtaking rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam titles, with the trio all tied on 20 each.
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“With so much on the line for Novak, you’ve got to think that he’s seriously going to think about it … he’s tied at 20 with Roger and Rafa for Grand Slam titles and he wants to take that over and spread that gap,” Woodbridge added.
“Coming to the tournament that he’s won so much, you’ve got to think he’s seriously thinking about doing it. It would be a shock to me if he doesn’t come to Australia.”
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