Tennis world No1, Novak Djokovic’s defence of his Australian Open Grand slam title in Melbourne following the announcement by immigration minister, Alex Hawke that there will be no special deal for unvaccinated athlete to compete at major events.

‘’Our health advice is that when we open the borders, everyone that comes to Australia will have to be double vaccinated’’

Consequently, Novak Djokovic expressed doubts over defending his Australian Open title in January, dashing any hope of a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam – one over 20 Grand Slam titles of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal.

Djokovic has refused to reveal his Covid vaccination status and told a Serbian news: “Things beings as they are, I still don’t know if I will go to Melbourne. I will not reveal my status whether I have been vaccinated or not, it is a private matter and an inappropriate inquiry’’.

“People go too far these days in taking the liberty to ask questions and judge a person. Whatever you say ‘Yes, no, maybe, I am thinking about it’, they will take advantage.”

Tournament organisers had to overcome many obstacles to hold the event this year, with the start date pushed back three weeks and players forced to quarantine for a fortnight on arrival in the country.

Tennis Australia insisted in May that the tournament would proceed in January 2022.