VACCINE RULES TANTAMOUNT TO ‘BLACKMAIL'

Djokovic’s dad blasts Tennis Australia, says nine-time champ may skip Melbourne Slam

BELGRADE • World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is unlikely to play at the Australian Open if rules on Covid-19 vaccinations are not relaxed, his father, Srdjan, has said.

Organizers of the year’s first tennis Grand Slam have said that all players will have to be vaccinated to take part. Djokovic has so far declined to disclose whether he is vaccinated and his father told Serbia’s TV Prva that governing body Tennis Australia’s stance on players being vaccinated was tantamount to “blackmail”.

“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,” news website B92 quoted Srdjan as saying.

“Will he publish it, I don’t think so. I don’t know that decision either, and if I did, I wouldn’t share it with you. He has the right to decide as he wants.”