Novak Djokovic has confirmed he will play the Australian Open after receiving a medical exemption to compete at the tournament without a Covid-19 vaccination.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said last month that all players competing in Melbourne are required either to be double vaccinated or to provide proof of medical exemption.
While Djokovic has yet to disclose his vaccination status, the world number one said in an Instagram post on Tuesday that he will be travelling to Australia with an “exemption permission”.
Djokovic was included on the entry list for the opening Grand Slam of the 2022 season, but doubts grew over whether the Serbian would defend his title after he withdrew from the ATP Cup in Sydney last week.
The tournament, which starts on January 17, will see Djokovic attempt to win a 10th Australian Open and move clear of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal with his 21st Grand Slam title.
Djokovic said: “I’ve spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I’m heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let’s go 2022!”
Djokovic won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles in 2021 but was defeated in the finals of the Olympic Games in Tokyo as well as the US Open in September.
