Australian Open organisers insist world number one Novak Djokovic has not benefited from a “special favour” after being granted a medical exemption from being vaccinated against Covid-19.
All players and staff at this month’s tournament must be vaccinated or have an exemption granted by an expert independent panel.
Defending champion Djokovic – a nine-time winner – has not spoken publicly about his vaccination status.
Tournament director Craig Tiley said 26 unvaccinated players applied for exemption, with only a “handful” granted.
“We made it extra difficult for anyone applying for an application to ensure it was the right process and to make sure the medical experts deal with it independently,” Tiley told Channel Nine’s The Today Show.
“There has been no special favour or special opportunity granted to Novak Djokovic or any tennis player.
“There’s been a process that goes above and beyond the normal process for everyone.”
The Australian Open is scheduled to begin on January 17 in Melbourne.
Reasons for Djokovic being permitted to compete will remain private, according to Tiley.
Criteria listed by the Australian Technical Advisory Group as permissible reasons for a medical exemption range from acute major medical conditions to any serious adverse event attributed to a previous dose of Covid-19 vaccine.
A possible explanation is that Djokovic has contracted coronavirus for a second time at some point in the past six months, having previously caught it during his much-criticised Adria Tour event in Belgrade in 2020.
That would negate the need for vaccination, according to rules published last year by one of two independent medical panels involved in the decision.
The build-up to the season’s first grand slam has been dominated by whether Djokovic would compete.
Speculation was heightened after he pulled out of the Serbia team competing at the ATP Cup in Sydney without explanation.
On Tuesday, the 34-year-old Serbian posted on Instagram that he was “heading down under with an exemption permission”.
The news was later confirmed in a statement from the Australian Open.
But Australian Border Force is looking into an issue that has arisen with Djokovic's Australian Travel Declaration, according to reports.
ABC News reports the Acting Australian Border Force Commissioner is examining an issue with Djokovic's Australian Travel Declaration, although it is not made clear what that issue is.
Meanwhile, Australian prime minister Scott Morrison said Djokovic's medical exemption from tournament organisers will mean nothing if he cannot provide valid proof on his arrival in Victoria that he cannot be vaccinated for legitimate reasons.
"We await his presentation and what evidence he provides us to support that," Mr Morrison said. "If that evidence is insufficient, then he won't be treated any different to anyone else, and he'll be on the next plane home.
"If medical exemptions have been provided by medical professionals and that has been furnished to him as a proviso for him to get on that plane, well, that will have to stack up when he arrives in Australia."
A statement issued by federal Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews also said: "No individual competing at the Australian Open will be afforded any special treatment.
"Quarantine requirements for international arrivals in Victoria, including for non-vaccinated individuals, are a matter for the Victorian Government.
"Since 15 December 2021 fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can travel to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption, and enter eligible states and territories quarantine free.
"If an arriving individual is not vaccinated, they must provide acceptable proof that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons to be able to access the same travel arrangement as fully vaccinated travellers.
"Australian Border Force will continue to ensure that those who arrive at our border comply with our strict border requirements."
The tournament provides Djokovic with another chance to move clear of rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, with the three having each won 20 grand slam titles.
He was challenging for the calendar year grand slam in 2021 but fell short in the US Open final by losing to Daniil Medvedev, the man he beat in last year’s Australian Open final.
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