No medical exemption for Djokovic

Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley has confirmed that Novak Djokovic has not received a medical exemption to participate in the Australian Open.

Djokovic was this week named on the event’s entry list, but this does not automatically mean he will participate.

Tiley said all players were named on the tournament’s entry list, but it will be several weeks until it is confirmed if Djokovic is eligible to participate.

Djokovic has refused to confirm his vaccination status.

Tiley reiterated the rules on vaccination for event.

“No-one can play the Australian Open unless they are vaccinated — either a double-dose of the required vaccines, or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson, which is an approved vaccine,” Tiley said.

“The only condition outside of being vaccinated that you could compete is if you received a medically approved exemption from Australian authorities.”

Tiley said any exemptions would be approved by an independent panel.

“There is an independent panel of medical specialists, and they see a blind copy of the medical exemption request,” Tiley said.

Tiley believes about 95 per cent of the tennis community is now fully vaccinated.

“We are now in a position, [where] over six weeks ago, 50 per cent of tennis players globally were vaccinated, and now it is more than 95 per cent. That is a significant improvement.”

The Australian Open starts in Melbourne on January 17.