This archive report was first published on 19 October 2021.
On October 19, 2021, Victoria state premier Dan Andrews stated that he expected no exceptions from Australia's Covid-19 vaccine rules for players competing in the Australian Open.
Andrews warned that unvaccinated tennis players would likely face difficulties in obtaining visas to enter the country, and if they did, they would probably have to quarantine for a couple of weeks.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic expressed uncertainty about his participation in the Australian Open, citing the unclear situation and his personal stance on vaccines.
As the world number one, Djokovic has publicly voiced opposition to vaccines in the past and refused to disclose his vaccination status, stating that it's a private matter.
Despite his past success in the Australian Open, Djokovic's participation in the tournament remains uncertain, with the defending champion planning to return to competition at the Paris Masters and participate in the Davis Cup.
