MELBOURNE: All players at the Australian Open must be vaccinated against COVID-19, tournament chief Craig Tiley confirmed on Saturday , piling more pressure on world number one Novak Djokovic, who has refused to reveal if he has been inoculated.
Djokovic said this month that he would await official confirmation on the requirements from Tennis Australia before making a decision. Just 50 per cent of players were fully vaccinated six weeks ago, but it shot up to 80 per cent after the Victoria government's announcement, Tiley said, adding that it was"continuing to track towards 100 per cent".The Australian Open went ahead this year, but players were forced to spend two weeks in hotel quarantine, crowds were restricted and a five-day snap lockdown was called mid-event.
While doubt remains over Djokovic, Tiley said that Rafael Nadal will return in search of a 21st Slam crown, although fellow 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer has been ruled out with a persistent right knee injury.