Australian Open officials confirm unvaccinated players could still compete at event

Despite the recent announcement that only vaccinated players will be allowed to compete at the upcoming Australian Open, tournament officials have confirmed that a small percentage of tennis players and staff will be granted medical exemptions from vaccination to travel to Australia for the start of the new season.

Tournament director Craig Tiley announced that any individuals who successfully obtain a medical exemption –– a process overseen by Border Force –– will not have to complete mandatory quarantine upon arrival.

“The process of coming in is a 72-hour test before you get in [taken before flying], a negative test when you arrive, isolate until you get a negative result," said Tiley. "You have to show proof of that negative test to get your accreditation, and then there’s a whole bunch of protocols to coach the players on what they need to be doing. They’re well versed in doing this around the world.

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“All the players are staying in the same accommodation. We have a minimized risk environment at the Crown, and they’ll be staying there as a group. There will be testing on site. We’ll be managing their movement.”

With rumors surrounding the participation of defending champion Novak Djokovic, who has refused to reveal his vaccination status, Tiley said he spoke to the Serbian and is confident that the World No.1 will be in Melbourne.

"If Novak shows up at the Australian Open, he’ll either be vaccinated or he’ll have a medical exemption,” Tiley confirmed. “[It’s] his choice on his medical condition, it’s his choice to keep personal and private like all of us would do with any condition we may or may not have. We are not going to force him or ask him to disclose that.”