PUNE: Novak Djokovic getting a medical exemption for Covid-19 vaccination from the Australian Open authorities is expected to raise several questions in the coming days, and the echo is being felt closer home.
Aman Dahiya, 17, had made the cut for the Australian Open junior championships qualifying but was denied entry by the organisers as he was yet to be vaccinated.
With India opening up vaccination drive for teenagers only now, Dahiya, who hails from a humble background, looked at options to get vaccinated in other countries, but logistics and funding issues proved to be stumbling blocks.
World No. 78 Dahiya’s coach Jignesh Rawal of Altevol Tennis academy in Ahmedabad, hit out at the alleged double standards of the Australian Open organisers and the Victoria state government.
“It (rules) shouldn’t be different. This is why players like Nick Kyrgios have been complaining about Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Nadal) getting preferential treatment,” Rawal said.
“The circumstances don’t matter. The rule is if you don’t have two vaccine doses, you cannot enter. (So) Why did they allow Djokovic?
“Djokovic can have special treatment on the court (like centre court priority), but the entry point has to be same. In this case, it is directly connected with a government law.
“But Aman can be collateral damage, and Djokovic cannot be.”
Rawal said he had earlier brought to the attention of the Australian Open organisers that India was yet to start vaccination for teenagers and then wrote to them again when the vaccination drive started two days ago.
“We requested the Australian Open so much. We said that he will get one dose and undergo quarantine (for seven days). First they agreed for quarantine, but then wrote back to us saying we have to have second dose,” he said.
“The kid had worked hard for the last four years to reach where he is now. He played the event in Pune (ITF Asian B1 junior championships last month) with blisters because he wanted to go to the Australian Open.
“Aman comes from a poor family. His father makes about Rs. 10,000 (a month). If he goes to Australia, it will send a strong message to all the kids like him.
“He has 15 ITF titles, eight in singles and seven in doubles. Not many Indians can claim that in the last 20 years.”
Rawal also mentioned that hardly any help came from the national federation or the central and state governments.
“For one and half months we tried and reached out to all the authorities -- AITA, SAI and Sports Authority of Gujarat. None of them stepped up,” he said.
“The message being sent out is (that) only a few privileged can have it. That is the sad part.”
