Novak Djokovic's father, Srdjan Djokovic, claims Novak will probably not play Australian Open (AO) due to his stance on vaccination.
The director of the first Grand Slam of the season, Craig Tiley, once again said on Saturday that only players vaccinated against coronavirus will have the right to play in Melbourne.
"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 that intimacy, it is guaranteed by the constitution. Everyone has the right to decide on their health . Will he publish it (if he is vaccinated or not), I don't think so. I don't know that decision either, and even if I did, I wouldn't share it with you. He has the right to decide as he wants,"- Srdjan Djokovic told TV Prva on Sunday.
About whether Novak will compete at the Australian Open or not, he said:
"It was embarrassing because of the announcement of those rulers in the provinces of Australia, who gave themselves the right to call out nine-time champion of Australia. Whether he will appear there depends on them how they will position themselves. He wants to play because he is an athlete, and we would love that too. Under these blackmails and conditions, he probably won't play at AO. I wouldn't do that. And he's my son, so you figure out for yourself if he is going to play or not."
Furthermore Srdjan Djokovic touched on a slightly deeper story about Australia and vaccination, as well as the words of the director of the Australian Open, Craig Tiley, that players vaccinated only with recognized vaccines will participate.
"What is a recognized vaccine, Mr. Craig? Russian vaccine is not recognized? According to our criteria, only Chinese and Russian are recognized. The libertarian world has 90 percent of the world's population. For us, it is Russian and Chinese. Recognize them and we will vaccine, with pleasure."
There is also a theoretical possibility of staying in quarantine.
"Players could be quarantined, and stay in the hotel room for 14 days and not even come out in the hotel lobby. Well, they came up with a swell idea, they (organizators) can play in the tournament then."-he concluded.