Australian Open: Novak Djokovic needs to prove exemption or go home, says PM Scott Morrison

Novak Djokovic was on his way to Australia to play at this month’s Grand Slam after receiving a medical exemption but Prime Minister Scott Morrison vowed on Wednesday to send the world number one home if the Serbian cannot prove he deserves it.

Djokovic, who has won nine titles at Melbourne Park including the last three, confirmed on Tuesday that he would bid for a record 21st major title at the Australian Open, which starts on Jan. 17. His announcement that he had received a medical exemption to play the tournament without being vaccinated against COVID-19 provoked outrage in Melbourne, which has endured the



world’s longest cumulative lockdown and where an outbreak of the Omicron variant has sent case numbers to record levels.

Morrison suggested Djokovic’s participation was still not a done deal and he will have to satisfy the federal government, which has responsibility for international borders and visas and was not part of the process of granting exemption.

“If that evidence is insufficient, then he won’t be treated any different to anyone else and he’ll be on the next plane home. There should be no special rules for Novak Djokovic at all. None whatsoever,” Morrison told a media conference.