Novak Djokovic had the green light to defend his Australian Open title. There were many doubts about the participation of Djokovic in the first slam of the year. In fact, Novak is notoriously against vaccination and all players are requested to be fully vaccinated to play the Australian Open unless they receive a special medical exemption.
While many considered it improbable that an athlete supremely fit like Novak could get a medical exemption, Djokovic still had the go-ahead.
“Fair and independent protocols“
However, according to Tennis Australia, the process that granted the medical exemption to Novak Djokovic was completely Fair
This was the statement
“Novak Djokovic will compete at the Australian Open and is on his way to Australia.
Djokovic applied for a medical exemption which was granted following a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels of medical experts. One of those was the Independent Medical Exemption Review Panel appointed by the Victorian Department of Health. They assessed all applications to see if they met the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) guidelines.
Please see further detail on the medical exemption process below:
Australian Open vaccine medical exemption process The COVID-19 vaccination protocols for the Australian Open, including the process for players seeking medical exemptions, have been finalised by the Victorian Department of Health and Tennis Australia.
Under an independent process, applications for a medical exemption were first reviewed by an expert panel made up of doctors from the fields of immunology, infectious disease and general practice.
Applications that met the national guidelines set by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) were then subjected to a second review conducted by a Government-appointed panel of medical experts, the Independent Medical Exemption Review Panel.
The applications were reviewed and approved only in line with ATAGI guidelines.
The process included the redaction of personal information to ensure privacy for all applicants.
The multi-step independent review process was designed to ensure the safety of everyone at the Australian Open.
Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said players, fans and staff at the Australian Open must be fully vaccinated, unless there is a genuine reason why an exemption should be granted.
“Fair and independent protocols were established for assessing medical exemption applications that will enable us to ensure Australian Open 2022 is safe and enjoyable for everyone,” Craig Tiley said.
“Central to this process was that the decisions were made by independent medical experts and that every applicant was given due consideration.”
Novak Djokovic in 2022
Currently ranked no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 3rd of December 2021 when he overcame world no.30 Marin Cilic 6-4 6-2 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
Novak Djokovic |
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