Return to the post: French officials now say unvaccinated players like Novak Djokovic are unwelcome
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- BELGRADE, SERBIA – MAY 27: ATP Belgrade Open men’s tennis singles 1/4 final Novak Djokovic. Pictured on May 27, 2021 in Belgrade, Serbia – 27/05/2021.,Image: 613091810, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Aleksandar Djorovic / Panoramic / Avalon
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- joie de Novak Djokovic (srb),Image: 615503051, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: JB Autissier / Panoramic / Avalon
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- Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates as he lifts the trophy after winning his Men’s Singles Final match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Fifteen of the 2021 French Open at Roland Garros on June 13, 2021 in Paris, France.,Image: 615504033, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Mehdi Taamallah / Avalon
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- Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during his men’s final tennis match against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas on Day 15 of The Roland Garros 2021 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 13, 2021.,Image: 615504079, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Mehdi Taamallah / Avalon
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- Novak Djokovic, Roland-Garros 2021, Simple Messieurs, Photocall,,Image: 615644692, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Corinne Dubreuil / Panoramic / Avalon
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- Sydney, AUSTRALIA – The news that Novak Djokovic had received a medical exemption to play in the Australian Open tournament this month in Melbourne spurred a range of reactions in Australia, where some politicians and tennis officials called on him to explain himself. Djokovic, the world’s No. 1 male tennis player and a prominent vaccination skeptic, announced on social media on Tuesday that he was “heading Down Under with an exemption permission.” The tournament’s organizers confirmed that he had been granted a medical exemption after a review process by two independent panels, a procedure that suggested he remained unvaccinated. Reaction among the pro tennis elite was somewhat measured. After Alex de Minaur and James Duckworth, who are both from Australia, absorbed the news, Duckworth said at a news briefing at the ATP Cup in Sydney, “If he’s fit the criteria, then, yeah, he should be able to come.” “That’s very politically correct of you,” de Minaur replied with a laugh. He added, “I just think it’s just very interesting; that’s all I’m going to say.” Other Australians used social media to express their anger at the decision. The hashtag #DjokovicOut trended on Twitter on Wednesday. Commentators pointed out that spectators at the Australian Open must be vaccinated. Stephen Parnis, a former vice president of the Australian Medical Association, tweeted: “I don’t care how good a tennis player he is. If he’s refusing to get vaccinated, he shouldn’t be allowed in. If this exemption is true, it sends an appalling message to millions seeking to reduce #COVID19Aus risk to themselves & others. #Vaccination shows respect, Novak.” Pictured: Novak Djokovic BACKGRID USA 5 JANUARY 2022 BYLINE MUST READ: Best Image / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
