"He's going to have to get vaccinated" - Woodbridge believes Djokovic has to get the shot if he aims to compete at Australian Open

Retired Australian pro Todd Woodbridge is hoping that Novak Djokovic decides to get vaccinated, as his refusal to do so could see the Serbian miss out on an opportunity to win a record 21st Grand Slam title at next year's Australian Open.

The Australian government recently issued a mandate that requires professional athletes to be vaccinated in order to compete in Melbourne, and players who refuse to do so could be banned from participating in sporting events. With the Australian Open set to begin in January, Djokovic, who has openly spoken out against the vaccine, would have to get the shot soon in order to compete at the event.

Woodbridge believes that Djokovic should get the vaccine, as missing the Australian Open would prevent him from surpassing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as the leader among Grand Slam winners, with all three men currently sitting at 20 apiece.

“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.

“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."

Woodbridge stated that the World No.1 needed to put more space between himself and his legendary rivals, adding that he 'd be surprised if Djokovic chose not to compete at his most successful Grand Slam event.

“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. 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 Federer and Nadal for Grand Slam titles and he wants to take that over and spread that gap. 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.”