Daniil Medvedev backs Novak Djokovic over Australian Open vaccine stance
Daniil Medvedev reacts to US Open win over Novak Djokovic
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Novak Djokovic has been backed by world No 2 Daniil Medvedev in his stance on not disclosing his vaccination status. The world No 1 is in doubt to make the Australian Open as government ministers admit it is looking increasingly likely only double-vaccinated players will be allowed into the country. The nine-time champion has taken issue with the proposed ruled and admitted he was unsure on playing as he refuses to reveal whether or not he has been vaccinated.
It is looking increasingly likely that Djokovic will not be able to compete for a record 21st Major in Melbourne.
The world No 1 is facing a ban from the Australian Open unless he is able to prove he is double-vaccinated, but has spoken out against vaccine mandates and admitted he doesn’t want to reveal his vaccination status.
Government officials have already all but confirmed that unvaccinated players will not receive a visa to enter the country for the event in January.
Djokovic, a nine-time Australian Open champion, has come under fire recently and admitted he may not compete, disagreeing with mandatory vaccinations on tour.
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“I don’t know if I’m going to Australia, I don’t know what’s going on. Currently, the situation is not good at all,” the 34-year-old told Serbian newspaper Blic.
“I have my opinion and it has always been the same. I will not reveal my status whether I have been vaccinated or not.
“It is a private matter and according to our law, whoever asks you, you can in some way charge him for asking you. That is an inappropriate question.”
Djokovic’s comments have earned him criticism from the likes of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, who said: “[The virus] doesn’t care what your tennis ranking is, or how many Grand Slams you’ve won. It’s completely irrelevant. You need to be vaccinated to keep yourself safe and to keep others safe.”
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However, the world No 1 has now been defended by Medvedev, his recent US Open conqueror.
“There is a lot of division in the society, not only in sports, but in the whole society, between those who have not been vaccinated and have been vaccinated. And that’s really scary,” the 25-year-old said, per TennisHead.
“That we fell for discriminating against someone if he wants to decide for himself one way or another, whether he wants to be vaccinated or not.
“I am very disappointed with the world society at this moment and the way in which the media transmit and put pressure on all people.
“There is too much ambiguity, too much information that is not valid, so it turns out that it is, so it is not, everything changes a lot.”
The world No 2 also agreed with Djokovic’s decision not to speak about his medical history – something Medvedev also chooses to do – but admitted that seeing who played the Australian Open and who didn’t would show who had been vaccinated, even if players tried to withdraw with other excuses.
He added: “I liked what Novak said about this. He said the vaccination was a personal matter and he would not be making it public. And I also decided not to disclose medical things,” he said.
“As for Australia, everyone will see who is vaccinated and who is not. Of course, the players can say that they are injured, but this will be a play on words.
“I want to play in Australia, that’s all I can say.”
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