The Australian Open takes place every January in Victoria, Australia and is governed by Tennis Australia.

All players are required to be vaccinated to play in the tournament or have a medical exemption which is assessed by the Victorian Department of Health in association with Tennis Australia.

Djokovic pulled out of the pre-season tournament hosted by the ATP. He is known widely to be unvaccinated despite ever saying he isn’t. He has attended “super-spreader” events in the past.

Melbournians and Australians have sacrificed a lot during COVID, including some of Australia’s longest lockdowns. Some haven’t been able to travel interstate or internationally to visit sick of dying family members.

On January 4th Djokovic was granted a medical exemption. The health and safety of officials, ball kids and fans is at risk in any arena as tennis requires a lot of heavy breathing and expressing of breath. 

It is a mockery to the people of Victoria who have been doing the right thing.

A top-level athlete is being allowed to participate and given entrance to Australia due to the influence he holds and the money which sponsors are set to make from the Australian Open.

We call on Tennis Australia and the Victorian Department of Health to revoke the medical exemption granted due to the risk Djokovic poses to public safety of the people attending and participating in the Australian Open and the wider Melbourne community which he will be present in.