This archive report was first published on 4 January 2022.
Published on January 4, 2022, Australian Open chief Craig Tiley revealed that some unvaccinated players had been granted exemptions to play in the year's first Grand Slam.
Novak Djokovic, a nine-time Australian Open winner, has confirmed he will defend his title after receiving a medical exemption from having a Covid-19 vaccination.
According to Djokovic, he has 'spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I'm heading down under with an exemption permission.'
Applications for medical exemptions are being assessed anonymously by two separate panels, with inflammatory cardiac illness or another acute condition listed as valid reasons.
The tournament begins in Melbourne on 17 January, and Djokovic is in a three-way tie on 20 majors with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal in the all-time list.
