Novak DJOKOVIC (SRB) poses for photos after his win against Daniil MEDVEDEV (RUS) during the Mens Singles Final on Rod Laver Arena on Day 14 of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Sunday, February 21, 2021. MANDATORY PHOTO CREDIT Tennis Australia/ MORGAN HANCOCK
Australia’s Victorian State sports minister Martin Pakula has hit back at Novak Djokovic’s father’s covid ‘blackmail’ claim confirming that anyone entering Australia must show proof of vaccination.
“I want to make it clear that I really hope that Novak Djokovic gets vaccinated and plays in the Australian Open, but if he chooses not to that’s a matter for him,” Mr Pakula said in Melbourne.
“If you’re a visiting international tennis player or a visiting sportsman of any kind, it’s about your responsibility to the community that you are being welcomed into.
“And that’s why we are asking those international tennis stars to follow the same requirements as Victorians are.
“It’s not about blackmail, it’s about making sure the Victorian community is protected.”
Srdjan Djokovic — speaking on Serbian TV earlier this week — said the stance was tantamount to ‘blackmail’.
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