Novak Djokovic will be able to defend his 2021 Australian Open title after all.
In an Instagram post, Djokovic revealed on Tuesday that he has received a medical exemption and will be competing at the Australian Open despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19. Rules in Melbourne and the Australian state of Victoria require all players, staff, and spectators to be fully vaccinated in order to participate or attend, but there is a process set up to allow people to apply for a medical exemption to that policy.
“Djokovic applied for a medical exemption, which was granted following a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels of medical experts,” Tennis Australia said in a statement.