French Open In Doubt For Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic As France Passes Strict Covid-Fighting Law

Topline

Novak Djokovic could be barred from competing in the French Open after politicians gave final approval to a strict new law blocking unvaccinated people from most public spaces, the latest setback in the men’s tennis number one’s effort to secure his 21st Grand Slam title after being deported from Australia for not meeting the country’s stringent vaccine requirements. 

Key Facts

France’s sport’s ministry said athletes visiting the country to compete will not be exempt from the country’s vaccine requirements, which are set to come into effect in the coming days and will require people over the age of 16 to prove they have been vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to enter public venues like sports stadiums, bars and restaurants. 

Sports minister Roxana Maracineanu said Monday visiting athletes would not be exempt from the new rules, backtracking from previous statements where she said visiting athletes could be exempt under a “bubble” system.

The u-turn means Djokovic could miss two consecutive Grand Slam tournaments over his refusal to get vaccinated against Covid-19 after a federal court in Australia backed the government’s decision to cancel his visa and deport him days before the Australian Open was due to start. 

What To Watch For

Rule changes, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. It’s possible France’s vaccine pass requirements will have been lifted by the time the tournament comes around in late May. At the moment, the Serbian national can play Wimbledon in June as English rules permit unvaccinated people to travel if they test negative after arrival and quarantine for ten days. Djokovic may find entry for the U.S. Open in August tougher owing to the country’s vaccine requirements, for which there are only very limited exemptions.

Key Background

Over the weekend, Djokovic, who is not vaccinated against Covid-19, lost a two week court battle to remain in Australia and compete in the Australian Open. He was temporarily barred from entering the country after officials questioned whether his medical exemption precluding vaccination—a previous Covid infection—was valid under the country’s stringent vaccination requirements. A court overturned the decision and granted the tennis player admission on grounds he was not given sufficient time to consult others on questions raised at the border. Court documents revealed the time of Djokovic’s infection and the star admitted he knowingly broke isolation in Serbia and took part in a newspaper interview and photoshoot while Covid positive. He also admitted his agent did not declare his recent travel from Serbia to Spain on visa forms before his journey to Australia. Djokovic had hoped to defend his title at the Open and also become the most successful male player in tennis history. He, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are all tied with 20 Grand Slam titles each. Only Nadal is playing in the Australian Open. 

What We Don’t Know

Under Australian law, Djokovic cannot be granted a visa for three years unless the immigration minister makes an exception, which means Djokovic could miss three years of the Australian tournament. 

Further Reading

‘In The Right Circumstances’: Australia Could Lift Djokovic’s Three-Year Visa Ban Early, Prime Minister Says (Forbes)

Djokovic Out Of Australian Open: Court Upholds Cancellation Of Visa, Tennis Star To Be Deported (Forbes)

Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus