"That is a government decision above us" - ATP Chairman unsure if Djokovic will be allowed to play at Australian Open

Novak Djokovic is at risk of missing the 2022 Australian Open if he is not vaccinated, as the Victorian government is still opposed to allowing entry to unvaccinated persons due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The World No 1 has repeatedly refused to say if he has been vaccinated. And the defending champion said at the Paris Masters earlier this week he would “decide on whether I go to Australia or not after I see the official statement from Tennis Australia”.

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi has claimed that 98 per cent of players could be jabbed by the start of the first Grand Slam of the year in January, but is of the opinion that unvaccinated players should be allowed to play if they serve a two-week quarantine.

“We have known for a few days that you cannot go to Australia if you are not vaccinated," said Gaudenzi. "That can still change but it is their tournament. If they decide to organize it with this rule, we can do nothing. The problem is with the players who will not be vaccinated.

“I cannot answer for him [Djokovic] but we hope that the government will authorize non-vaccinated players to play after two weeks in isolation. But that is a government decision above us.

“For Novak, it is a personal decision. But you have to think about the vast majority of players who are vaccinated and want to play.

“The good news is that the percentage is increasing steadily. We are already at 70 per cent. We hope to arrive at 95 per cent or 98 per cent in two months.”

This year’s Australian Open saw all players serve a controlled quarantine which restricted them to the tennis courts and their hotels.