It's likely that Novak Djokovic will not defend his Australian Open crown. Any player who plans to compete in the 2022 Australian Open, which starts on Jan. 17, must be vaccinated against COVID-19. Due to those protocols, Novak Djokovic's father Srdjan Djokovic says his son will probably not take part in the tournament.
Srdjan Djokovic spoke to Serb TV about the upcoming event, suggesting that unless vaccine restrictions change, he does not see his son playing.
"Under these blackmails and conditions, he probably won't [play]. I wouldn't do that. And he's my son, so you decide for yourself," Srdjan Djokovic said, according to BBC Sport. "... 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 ... No-one has the right to enter into our intimacy."
Srdjan Djokovic added that he is unaware whether Novak Djokovic is vaccinated and even if he did know, he would not share that info with the public.
After the recent ATP Finals, the 34-year-old did not give a clear answer to whether he would compete in the first Grand Slam of 2022.
"We'll see. We'll have to wait and see. I haven't been talking to them [Australian Open organizers], to be honest. I was just waiting to hear what the news is going to be and now that I know we'll just have to wait and see," Djokovic said, according to Eurosport.
Most players are expected to be vaccinated by the time the tournament rolls around, BBC Sport reported. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said 85% of professional players are vaccinated and expects that number to rise to "between 90-95%" in the next two months. Fans and staff at the event are also required to be vaccinated.
Djokovic has the most Australian Open wins at nine as part of his 20 total Grand Slam wins. He's tied for most Grand Slam titles among men with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.