Small number of Australian Open players and staff to receive COVID-19 medical exemptions

The organisers of next year’s Australian Open have confirmed a “small percentage” of competing tennis professionals and staff will be granted medical exemptions from the need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to come to Australia for the summer tennis season.

Australian Open Tournament Director, Craig Tiley confirmed on Wednesday that a small cohort of players and staff would be allowed to compete at the tournament without being vaccinated after being granted medical exemptions.

Tennis Australia had faced the prospect of losing leading players if only those who are vaccinated are allowed to enter Australia to compete.

Tiley expressed confidence that two of the world’s biggest names in men’s tennis, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will play the first Grand Slam of 2022.

In recent days, Spanish star Nadal has tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Spain after making his comeback from injury in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi last week while uncertainty surrounds the vaccination status of men's World No. 1 k Djokovic.

Djokovic has repeatedly refused to declare his vaccination status which has placed him at odds with the Victorian Government which had ruled that only fully vaccinated players, their entourages, staff and fans would be able to attend the tournament, which runs from 17th to 30th January.

Tennis Australia is expecting the first of up to 3000 players and support staff toarrive in either Sydney or Melbourne from 28th December.

Fan capacity was reduced during this year's disrupted event, which included five days without any spectators because of a COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne.

Looking forward to the 2022 edition, Tiley stated "we have zero expectation of a cap on crowds (but) if there's a position (where) we have to limit numbers, we'll respond accordingly."