After being deported from Australia and barred from playing at the Australian Open for being unvaccinated, Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic might be banned from playing in the upcoming Grand Slam tournaments in France and Spain.
On Sunday, the French Parliament approved the new vaccine pass that requires proof of vaccination to access public areas, including sports venues, restaurants, cafes and cinemas. The country’s sports ministry said no exemptions would be allowed, even if it meant barring World no. 1 men’s tennis player from the French Open.
Le pass vaccinal a été adopté. Dès que la loi sera promulguée, il deviendra obligatoire pour entrer dans les ERP déjà soumis au pass sanitaire (stade, théâtre ou salon) pour l’ensemble des spectateurs, des pratiquants, des professionnels français ou étrangers 1/2
— Roxana Maracineanu (@RoxaMaracineanu) January 16, 2022
A statement from the Ministry stated: “The rule is simple. The vaccine pass will be imposed as soon as the law is promulgated in establishments that were already subject to the health pass. This will apply to everyone who is a spectator or a professional sportsperson. And this until further notice.”
About the French Open, officially known as Roland Garros, the statement said the tournament is in May and the situation might change till then and become more favourable. However, no exemptions will be granted.
The French Tennis Federation (FFT), which hosts the French Open, had earlier said that they were working with the authorities to finalise the rules relating to the reception of non-vaccinated foreign athletes. However, the latest comments from the French Health Minister implies that unvaccinated athletes will not be allowed.
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, also said that Djokovic would have to follow the country’s COVID-19 rules to participate in the Madrid Open in April. “The rules are there to comply with, and no one is above the rules,” Sanchez said. According to Spain’s health ministry, visitors are required to show proof of full vaccination, a recent PCR negative test within 72 hours before arrival, or a certificate of having recovered from COVID-19.
Apart from tournaments in France and Spain, the other two Grand Slam tournaments of 2022 - Wimbledon in late June and the US Open in August - could also be problematic for Djokovic. ESPN said, “England has allowed exemptions from various coronavirus regulations for visiting athletes, if they remain at their accommodation when not competing or training. The U.S. Tennis Association, which runs the US Open, has said it will follow government rules on vaccination status.”