The COVID-19 pandemic affected tournaments on both the ATP and WTA tours, forcing many events to be rescheduled in 2020.
Australian government are reportedly considering introducing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate in a move which could prevent a number of the top players from participating at the 2022 first tennis Grand Slam of the year.
Even at the US Open, there was no mandate regarding the COVID-19 vaccination. But, the Grand Slam won’t let that happen as they plan to put unvaccinated players into some sort of quarantine or the other.
According to reports, tennis players who got their jabs can be placed in an isolated bubble, which will raise the time a player spends in Melbourne.
Speaking of Australian government impositions regarding COVID-19, Australian tennis icon, John Millman, said players will need to spend at least five weeks to play a major tournament.
“To return to Australia, you have to imagine a cut-off of at least 5 weeks, with the 15 days of quarantine.” Millman said.
World No 1 Novak Djokovic on Mau 4, 2021 said on a number of occasions that he considers it to be a “personal choice” to take the vaccine or not, and refused to say whether he had been vaccinated, or would do so.
“I don’t think it’ll come to that. I hope not, because I’ve always believed in freedom of choice. And I will keep the decision as to whether I’m going to get vaccinated or not to myself,” Djokovic said
“It’s an intimate decision, and I don’t want to go into this game of pro and against vaccines, which the media is unfortunately creating these days.” he added.
According to the schedule, the opening first Grand Slam tennis event of 2022 is due to take place between January 17 and 30.