Australian Open reveals criteria for unvaccinated players to compete in Melbourne

Although the organizers of the Australian Open have stated that players must be fully vaccinated to participate at the event, they have revealed a list of criteria that will allow some unvaccinated players to compete at the first Grand Slam of the season.

The exemptions are listed below:

– If a player has a history of allergic reaction to all approved Covid-19 vaccines.

– If a player has experienced a ‘serious adverse event’ linked to the first dose of an approved vaccine which has resulted in hospitalisation or some significant disability/incapacity.

– If a player is currently suffering from an acute medical condition.

– If within the past six months the player has suffered from an inflammatory cardiac illness.

Furthermore, players who are pregnant, suffering from a chronic underlying medical condition or have a family history of ‘adverse event; will not be allowed a medical exemption on those grounds.

Players travelling down under must take a Covid-19 test prior to flying and upon landing. Tennis Australia is further urging players to use one of their chartered flights in order to minimize the risk of possible infections.

The Australian Open kicks off on January 17, 2022, with World No.1 Novak Djokovic still unconfirmed for the event as his vaccination status is currently unknown. However, his father Srdjan Djokovic was quoted as saying the defending champion "will probably not play the Australian Open."