Djokovic Given Medical Exemption to Play at Australian Open

January 17th, 2022, is an important date in the Tennis Calendar. The Australian Open will kick off. Already, predictions are being made with sports betting experts at mightytips.com, including Kate Richardson mentioning names such as Djokovic. However, Djokovic is already in the news, and this time not about his wins but whether he will be participating in the prestigious event. 

Djokovic news has hit the Australian press for weeks where the question on whether he will be given a medical exemption to play at Australia. The Australian press has reported that he may be allowed to participate in the games, which are only a week away. Kate Richardson predicted a Djokovic US open win; however, with the controversy surrounding his medical exemption, she was having a hard time forecasting how the Australian open may end. 

Now with the exemption granted, it will be easy for Kate Richardson and other experts at MightyTips, and she knows all about betting sites in switzerland, Australia, Canada and etc., to finally make their predictions. You can learn about Kate Richardson’s profile and also have a chance to read about her predictions and analysis by clicking here.

The Australian Open is an annual tennis event that takes place during the last fortnight of January in Melbourne. It is the first Grand Slam tennis tournament preceded by the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. The event has the following competitions:

• Men’s and Women’s singles
• Women’s and mixed doubles
• Junior’s championships
• Wheelchair
• Legends and exhibition

Vaccination proof

Just like Australia Open 2021, the 2022 event is being held at a period when the world is struggling with the pandemic. Like other sporting events, COVID-19 restrictions have affected the Australian Open. 

 Australia is experiencing a rise in infection, and the government has put in place measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. With a new variant which mostly has affected Melbourne and its surroundings more than any other part of the country, players and spectators are to observe certain restrictions. One of the requirements, especially to those entering the country, is vaccination. One has to show proof of vaccination before being allowed to enter Australia. There are many people, sportspersons, and other visitors who have been hit by this requirement. They have had to cancel their journey and even participation in an event like the Australian Open.

It remains unclear whether fans will be allowed into the Tennis arena. Some Australian press has reported that fans may be allowed into the arena but with strict regulations. Just like players, fans will be expected to have been double vaccinated and must show a digital certificate to such effect. It is only those who will have valid exemptions that will not be required to show vaccination proof.

Medical exemption

Novak Djokovic, the Australian Open Men’s singles 2021 winner, may be allowed to participate on the grounds of valid medical exemption. Djokovic news indicates that the tennis player will get a chance to defend his title once he gets the medical exemption to travel to Melbourne. This exemption will end months of uncertainty. It was not clear whether the Australian open winner would be participating in the event due to the strict vaccination which is in place for the event.

Djokovic news, as put in the social media, reported that he now had exemption permission. For months, the player has not revealed whether he is vaccinated against COVID-19. All Australian players and fans must show that they have been fully vaccinated unless one has a genuine reason why they have or cannot. Some Australian press outlets have even gone ahead to reveal that the defending champion is on his way for the January 17th event.

Diplomatic crisis

Djokovic exemption saga has ignited a heated debate which some analysts point out that if not well handled, it could lead to a diplomatic tiff. Australian players, fans, government officials, and even leaders of both countries have been quoted on different platforms contributing to the debate. The Australian government has argued that all will be treated equally, and none will be given preferential treatment.

The Serbian leaders have vowed to take the matter claiming that Djokovic has been harassed. With these comments, it seems like the Serbian authorities wanted the player to be treated differently. They felt that he should not be subjected to the vaccination requirement. Some commentators, as well as Australian authorities, feel that none of the participants should be treated differently, all including Djokovic, should be subjected to similar rules. If he cannot show proof of vaccination, he should use the exemption window to get into the country and participate in the prestigious tournament.

As highlighted by the sports betting experts, this is not the first time that this controversy is arising. Djokovic has been criticized by many for his stand on vaccination. In a previous tournament, he tested positive for Coronavirus together with other 24 players. This could be the risk that is being avoided by the vaccine requirements.

If Djokovic would not have been allowed to enter Melbourne, what would have been the Australian Open without him.

Would the tournament have attracted similar attention as other years? Sports betting experts say they may have had a hard task predicting who may win. However, with the likes of Medvedev and a host of Australian players being featured in the 2022 event, the game would have been wide open. Now with Djokovic’s confirmation, it may be back to him, but that will be all clear in less than a month.