The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) called the series of events leading up to Novak Djokovicβs country hearing on Monday, βdamaging on all frontsβ β including to the athleteβs well-being, according to a statement from the association on Monday.
βIn travelling to Melbourne, itβs clear Novak Djokovic believed he had been granted a necessary medical exemption in order to comply with entry regulations,β the statement read. βThe series of events leading to Mondayβs court hearing have been damaging on all fronts, including for Novak’s well-being and preparation for the Australian Open,” the statement adds.
ATP added that player medical exemption requests are made independently of the association but that it has been in βconstant contactβ with Tennis Australia to βseek clarity throughout this process.β The association welcomed the outcome of Mondayβs hearing, in which a judge quashed the cancellation of Djokovicβs visa.
The association said it continues to strongly recommend vaccination for all players on the ATP tour, calling it βessential for our sport to navigate the pandemic.β It added that 97 percent of the Top 100 players are vaccinated leading into this yearβs Australian Open.
βThe ATP fully respects the sacrifices the people of Australia have made since the onset of COVID-19 and the stringent immigration policies that have been put in place,β the association said. It added, βComplications in recent days related to player entry into Australia have however highlighted the need for clearer understanding, communication and application of the rules.β
Tennis group says events leading up to Monday’s court hearing were “damaging” for Djokovic