Andy Murray warned about ‘strict’ Australian Covid rules before Djokovic row

Andy Murray discusses his tennis future aged just 14

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The Scot, 34, waded into the row around Djokovic’s deportation from Australia earlier this month ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, of which he crashed out in the second round last week. Murray branded the situation a “s***show” after the Serb’s visa was cancelled for a second time on the eve of the Grand Slam. Djokovic, who has not received his COVID-19 jabs and has previously made anti-vax comments, failed to meet Australia’s entry requirements.

The World Number One included false information on a travel form and was forced to leave the country, despite previously citing a medical exemption allowing him to compete.

With Djokovic’s hopes of defending his Australian Open title in ruins, several of his fellow pros expressed their sympathy for him.

Speaking about how the row has overshadowed the first Grand Slam of the year, Murray told the BBC: “The situation has not been good all round for anyone.

“Hopefully, from all sides, from the tournament and from Novak, we can make sure this doesn’t happen at any other tournaments and that something is in place ahead of time.

“It feels everything here happened extremely last minute and that’s why it became such a s***show.”

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However, before Murray’s comments at the weekend, the star had previously warned his fellow tennis stars about the “strict” Covid requirements for entry to Australia.

In October, speculation was already growing over Djokovic and whether, given his vaccine status, he would be able to compete at the Australian Open, where he was hoping to take a record 21st Grand Slam.

Murray spoke to reporters about the Covid rules for the tournament following his defeat to Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells.

He said: “Obviously Australia, in particular, has been very, very strict over there. The public there have had to endure a painful 18 months or whatever.”

Murray’s comments came after dozens of players were forced to self-isolate because of Covid at last year’s Australian Open.

He said: “If people are going to come into the country and potentially risk an outbreak in their community or whatever, yeah, that’s understandable.

“It’s not to say you can’t play. You might just have to leave a few weeks earlier than everyone else. That’s the player’s choice.”

The Scot also urged his fellow pros to get their Covid jabs ahead of the Australian Open.

He said: “It would be great if more players got vaccinated.

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“I’d rather focus on the tennis. We’re concentrating on the vaccine a lot because a lot of the players haven’t taken it yet.

“My understanding is if you’re unvaccinated you’re still allowed to play, it’s just the rules are going to be different, and that’s understandable.

“My understanding of the virus is that you’re significantly more likely to catch the virus if you’re unvaccinated, and you’re also more likely to pass it on, as well.”

Murray impressed in his first-round match in Melbourne this year, as he knocked out Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili.

However, Murray, a wildcard entry to this year’s major, crashed out of the tournament against Japan’s Taro Daniel on Thursday.

The Australian Open will be shown live in the UK on Eurosport 1 and 2 and on Discovery+.

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