"I guess not getting the vaccination could be more important" - Tracy Austin has doubts on Djokovic competing at the Australian Open

Following the announcement of health restrictions set for next year's Australian Open, there have been many doubts over the participation of Novak Djokovic at the first Grand Slam of the year.

The Serbian has been spoken out against getting vaccinated, which has been announced as a requirement for players who want to compete in Melbourne. In an interview with Tennis Channel, retired American pro and former World No.1 Tracy Austin spoke about Djokovic's possible absence at the event.

"He's going for 21, the tiebreaking 21, but I guess not getting the vaccination could be more important," said Austin. "For me? I don't know if we will see Novak Djokovic at the 2022 Australian Open.

"I mean you've got to get the jab to go over there apparently and he says he doesn't want to tell us whether he's gotten the jab. And it seems like to me, if you're not telling us then he probably hasn't."

Read also

Victoria Premier refutes leaked email, insists players must be vaccinated for Australian Open

The two-time Grand Slam champion added that the prospect of quarantine might be tougher to digest for unvaccinated players, as they are likely to spend two weeks in isolation before the event. Players who have received the shot would not be under these same restrictions.

"He's (Novak Djokovic) spoken out adamantly that he does not want to get vaccinated," Austin said. "I guess you would still have the opportunity to go over there and quarantine. I mean that's gonna be very tough this year because 2021 everyone was in quarantine, but now the players that have gotten vaccinated wouldn't have to spend time there."