Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open vaccine exemption sparks anger from Melbourne netizens – ‘expect a hostile reception’
- World No 1 receives ‘medical exemption’ to compete at first grand slam tournament of 2022 season
- Nine-time champ’s tweet criticised as ‘insensitive’ by locals on social media – ‘we’ve done it hard here in recent times’
Netizens in Melbourne have hit out after Novak Djokovic was handed a “medical exemption” to compete at the Australian Open without a Covid-19 vaccination.
The nine-time champion will look to win a record 21st career major title in Victoria, where rules state that players and all members of their entourages must be double vaccinated for the tournament, which begins on January 17.
“Happy New Year! Wishing you all health, love & joy in every moment & may you feel love & respect towards all beings on this wonderful planet,” Djokovic wrote in a tweet on Tuesday.
“I’ve spent fantastic quality time with loved ones over break & today I’m heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let’s go 2022!”
The world No 1’s tweet garnered plenty of angry responses from Australians on social media, however.