Novak Djokovic May Miss French Open Due To France's Vaccine Pass Legislation

The World No. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic will have to turn his attention to complying with Spain's health rules to compete in the upcoming Madrid Open after being deported and banned from Australia on Sunday. However, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison claimed that Djokovic may return to Australia "in the right circumstances."

Although the French Open previously allowed unvaccinated players to compete as they operated in a bubble around the tournament, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday that everyone, including Djokovic, must follow the vaccine requirement. Spain currently requires visitors to show proof of complete vaccination, a recent negative Covid test within 72 hours before arrival, or a certificate of having recovered from Covid-19. The second grand slam will be the French Open at Roland Garros between May 22 and June 5.

Djokovic's aim of a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title has been halted due to his visa cancellation. The tennis superstar was deported from Australia on Sunday after his appeal to remain in the country was denied. He boarded an Emirates flight to the United Arab Emirates. The Serbian tennis player is currently banned from returning to Australia for the next three years. However, the Australian Prime Minister hinted at a possibility of the tennis star going back earlier than expected.

"I'm not going to sort of precondition any of that or say anything that would not enable the minister to make the various calls they have to make," Morrison told Nine radio. "I mean, it does go over a three-year period, but there is the opportunity for them to return in the right circumstances and that would be considered at the time."

Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews believed that there could be "compelling" reasons for Djokovic to be granted a visa despite being banned; still, that is all hypothetical as of now.

The Australian Federal Court supported the decision of Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to cancel his visa. Despite not being vaccinated for the coronavirus, the tennis player initially declared that he was able to be part of the Australian Open. Djokovic was given a medical exemption to compete in the Australian Open, but as Australia is under high COVID-19 positive cases, his exemption was put under investigation.

Serbian natives, including the nation's president Aleksandar Vucic and Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic, have severely criticized the decision to deport Djokovic. The Serbian Olympic Committee expressed they are "very disappointed" over Australia's "scandalous decision."