Djokovic’s Bid For Grand Slam Greatness Could Be Ruled ‘Out’ By Latest Vaccine Ultimatum Down Under
October 19, 2021
Michael Pirrie reports on the latest announcement from Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, revealing that athletes looking to enter the state to compete in competitions would require vaccination, something which could potentially endanger the most high-profile athlete looking to enter Australian shores within the next couple of months.
Novak Djokovic’s bid to become the world heavyweight champion of tennis may have been served a technical knock out blow before the title fight has even commenced.
The Government of the Australian state of Victoria has outlined its ‘No Jab No Play’ vaccination position for major events as the Melbourne capital begins to lift Covid restrictions. Melbourne hosts several major domestic and international sporting events including Formula 1 Grand Prix and Australian Open, one of the world’s premier events.
“I don’t think an unvaccinated tennis player is going to get a visa,” Andrews said earlier today.
As Premier of the world’s longest locked down city, he today delivered a vaccine ultimatum for major events, declaring a cautious approach would be followed as sectors and industries across the city and state are re-opened.
Andrews, a popular state premier, said people would need to be jabbed or miss out on major events next year. iSportConnect revealed recently that workers in Melbourne and across the state deemed as ‘authorised’ would need vaccination, including professional athletes.
“I don’t think an unvaccinated tennis player is going to get a visa,” Andrews said earlier today.
The directive poses an immediate setback for Djokovic and his plans to surpass superstars Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, with the trio of tennis titans on 20 grand slam titles each.
Next year’s international sporting calendar could be headlined by the rivalry between the three tennis amigos, with the next to win and reach 21 grand slam titles expected to a highlight of the year.
The first showdown in 2022 at the Australian Open provided the best opportunity for Djokovic to secure a place in tennis history and earn the admiration and appeal he seeks. Melbourne’s grand slam is already Djokovic’s most successful, with nine victories there, and the chance for the all time grand slam record just a ‘Game, Set and Match’ away upon his return.
This latest ruling by the Premier of Victoria, the ultimate umpire in the sporting capital of Australia, puts Djokovic and other sporting figures sensitive to vaccination on the back foot.
The Victorian government’s edict on major events comes amid growing concern about vaccine hesitancy as the Covid crisis becomes a pandemic of the unvaccinated.
While vaccination rates in many of the world’s leading leagues are increasing, stronger measures are being adopted to convince those holding out. In the latest development, Washington State fired its football coach Nick Rolovich, after he declined to get vaccinated, failing to comply with a state mandate.
Djiokovic’s management is in talks with the Australian Tennis Federation to find a compromise for him to play.
“Of course I want to go., Australia is my most successful grand slam tournament, I want to compete. I love tis sport and I am still motivated,” he said in response to the vaccine mandate while refusing to confirm his vaccine status.
Speculation and anticipation surrounding a Djokovic victory at the Australian Open has been building as the sporting world slowly recovers from Covid due to growing global vaccination rates. Djokovic’s vaccine reluctance ironically may see him become a virus victim of the sporting kind.