The message from the Australian Open organisers had been clear: all participants must be vaccinated against the coronavirus (COVID-19) or they will have to apply for a medical exemption that meets the rules set by the government in order to play. Without mentioning it, the recipient had been Novak Djokoivc, who never revealed his vaccination status, and until late last year had not decided if he would participate in the first Grand Slam of the season.
Finally, the world number 1 announced on Tuesday with a message on his social networks that, thanks to a “medical exemption”, he will say present in Melbourne. But far from the speculations disappearing, the coronavirus and vaccination continue to generate conflicts around the tournament. It is that beyond the criticism from the fans that the organization is receiving after the authorization granted to the Serb, the case of Natalia Vikhlyantseva was revived, who will not be able to play the Australian Open despite having received the complete vaccination scheme. What’s the matter? It was inoculated with Sputnik V, which until today is not approved by the TGA (Therapeutic Good Administration) of Australia.
Unfortunately, I will not participate in this year AO event. I’m really happy with a level of tennis I showed on a last few events and I wish to play in but Sputnik is not verified yet. Good luck for all participants and AO team, who always made amazing events! pic.twitter.com/l2UDmUmSF8 — Nata Vikhlyantseva (@NVikhlyantseva)
December 20, 2021
“Unfortunately, I will not be participating in this year’s Australian Open event. I am very happy with the level of tennis I showed in the last events and wish to play in Australia but the Sputnik V is not yet verified. Good luck to all the participants and the Australian Open team, who always did incredible events!” the Russian tennis player, currently number 195 in the WTA ranking, wrote on her social networks days ago. Last December, James Merlino, the prime minister of the state of Victoria, whose capital is Melbourne, the host city of the Grand Slam, said: “Everyone is looking forward to the Australian Open and everyone who will attend (spectators, players, officials, staff) is expected to be fully vaccinated.” Vikhlyantseva is, although an administrative conflict leaves her out.
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