
Audio By Carbonatix
Novak Djokovic is unlikely to play at the Australian Open unless rules over Covid-19 vaccinations are relaxed, says his father Srdjan Djokovic.
Unvaccinated players will not be allowed to compete at the 2022 event and defending champion Djokovic, 34, has declined to disclose his status.
"Under these blackmails and conditions, he probably won't [play]," Srdjan Djokovic told Serb TV.
"I wouldn't do that. And he's my son, so you decide for yourself."
World number one Djokovic has won the Australian Open a record nine times and is level on 20 Grand Slam wins with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Spaniard Nadal says he plans to play at the tournament, which runs from 17-30 January in Melbourne, but Federer will miss the event as he recovers from knee surgery.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley has said that 85% of professional players are vaccinated and he expects that figure to be "between 90-95%" by the time of the event at which fans and staff will also be banned if unvaccinated.
"As far as vaccines and non-vaccines are concerned, it is the personal right of each of us whether we will be vaccinated or not," said Srdjan Djokovic in quotes reported by news website B92 from his interview with Serbia's TV Prva.
"No-one has the right to enter into our intimacy."
Latest Stories
-
Adwoa Safo petitions Attorney-General to move shooting case to High Court over jurisdiction concerns
57 minutes -
Uganda’s Daily Monitor, NTV forced off air after army chief orders closure
1 hour -
Otumfuo urges pharmacists to uphold standards as Pharmaceutical Society marks 90 years
2 hours -
Ghana’s leading businesses honoured at 3rd Ghana Outstanding Business Achievement Awards
2 hours -
All set for Joe Mettle’s Praise Reloaded 2026 at Accra Sports Stadium
3 hours -
Litina Travel’s Made-in-Ghana World Cup Expo draws hundreds in Boston
4 hours -
A time for everything: A case against mixing spirituality with work performance
4 hours -
Ghana’s crisis-to-recovery journey holds key lessons for Africa – BoG Governor
4 hours -
NCCE crowns the Constitution Week celebration with a competition
5 hours -
Northern Ghana receives life-saving dialysis machines, but urgently needs personnel
6 hours -
Ghana assumes leadership of RMU board, pledges reforms
6 hours -
World Cup 2026: Nine African nations reach knockout stage as Tunisia bows out
6 hours -
China commends Ghana for pursuing energy self-reliance
6 hours -
PSWU urges Fair Wages Commission to expedite payment of agreed allowances
6 hours -
Mahama demands strict quality checks before road payments
7 hours