The Australian Open was just the beginning: Djokovic could also lose Roland Garros! – Sports

MELBOURNE – Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has not ruled out that Novak Djokovic could play at the Australian Open next year, although by law he automatically faces a three-year ban on entering the country after deportation. Currently, however, the Serbian tennis player risks losing the second grand slam tournament of the season, Roland Garros, without the Covid-19 vaccine.

Under the newly passed law, which passed parliament on Sunday and is due to enter into force soon, in France, unvaccinated people over the age of 16 will not have the right to enter restaurants, cultural and sports facilities or long-distance transport links, and the Ministry of Sports announced today that they do not grant exemptions to tennis players.

“The rules will apply to everyone, whether it’s a spectator or an athlete. Until further notice.” Reuters quoted the ministry as saying. “Roland Garros is in May. The situation may change until then, and of course we hope it will be more favorable. So we’ll see, but there are definitely no exceptions to the rules.”

Djokovic had to leave Australia after losing a lawsuit over a revoked visa, which he had originally obtained under an exemption from coronavirus vaccination, and headed home to Belgrade via Dubai.