Unvaccinated players unlikely to get Australian Open visa - official

MELBOURNE - Unvaccinated tennis stars are unlikely

to get visas to play in the Australian Open, a local official warned Tuesday,
throwing defending champion Novak Djokovic's participation into serious
doubt.

  Victoria state premier Dan Andrews said he expected no exceptions from
Australia's Covid-19 vaccine rules for players competing in January's Grand
Slam.

  "I don't think an unvaccinated tennis player is going to get a visa to come
into this country," Andrews said.

  "The virus doesn't care what your tennis ranking is or how many Grand Slams
you've won," he added.

  "And if they did get a visa they would probably have to quarantine for a
couple of weeks, when no other players have to."

  World number one Djokovic has publicly voiced opposition to vaccines and
refused to say whether he is vaccinated against the coronavirus.

  He has won three back-to-back Australian Opens and would be trying to
secure a record-breaking 21st major in Melbourne -- Victoria's capital --
after falling short at the US Open in September.

  Andrews also indicated that anyone hoping to attend Formula One's
Australian Grand Prix would also have to be vaccinated.

  "The Grand Prix is in April, I don't think there is going to be crowds for
the Grand Prix made up of people who have not been double-dosed," Andrews said. BSS/AFP