Djokovic gains go signal to play in France amid Australian Open issue

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Despite being barred entry for the upcoming 2022 Australian Open, Serbian tennis superstar Novak Djokovic will, on the other hand, be allowed to play in France.

French sports minister Roxana Maracineanu confirmed the news that they will still allow Djokovic to grace the 2022 French Open despite not getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

This came after the world no.1 male tennis player had his visa revoked by Australia due to his failure of supplying the proper requirements for a medical exemption permission to join the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.

“He would not follow the same organizational arrangements as those who are vaccinated. But he will nonetheless be able to compete at Roland Garros because the protocols, the health bubble, allows it,” Maracineanu told FranceInfo radio.

Djokovic was initially allowed to play in Australia when tournament organizing chief Craig Tiley granted him with an exemption permission.

However, a day after receiving his green light, Australian border authorities claimed that Djokovic failed to meet the necessary requirements.

During the process, Health Minister Greg Hunt led the inspection of Djokovic’s medical requirements.

Both moves done by the Australian border authorities and Health Minister Hunt were backed by Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison.