“A General Entry List”: Craig Tiley Adds New Twist to Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open 2022 Saga

With all the uncertainty around Novak Djokovic’s involvement at the Australian Open 2022, tournament director Craig Tiley has had to give multiple clarifications to the media over the supposed ‘exemption’ that could be given to the nine-time Melbourne champion to play there next year.

With no confirmation from Djokovic about his involvement, the entry list released recently became a topic of hot discussion. Nole’s name was included in the list, which led people to speculate his participation in the tournament has been confirmed.

Craig Tiley reiterates that players entering Australia will have to adhere to guidelines

Seeing the name of Djokovic in the list made people wonder whether the Serb was being granted any exemption by Tennis Australia to play the event. For clarification, the entry list will have all players who could play the tournament.

There will be a deadline for players to confirm their participation in any tournament before the main draw is released. So, for the moment, the Serb is just in the initial entry list of players who can play at the Australian Open.

Craig Tiley reiterated the same in an interview to ABC TV earlier today and made it clear that ‘no exemptions’ will be given to any player flying to Melbourne.

“It is confusing and just to be clear upfront, is no one can play the Australian Open unless they are vaccinated… What was published yesterday was a general entry list. And as a matter, of course, everyone goes on the entry list… There’s no medical exemptions that have been granted at this point,” Tiley said.

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Tiley makes his stance on Novak Djokovic abundantly clear

When the anchor pressed on Novak Djokovic’s situation, Tiley made it crystal clear about the guidelines before coming to Australia.

“International tennis players have exactly the same conditions as everyone coming in to Victoria, everyone coming in to Australia. There is no benefit provided to any one of them under any condition and any circumstance… He (Novak) needs to be fully vaccinated, yes… He would have to go through exact same process as any one coming in Victoria would have to.”

These words from Tiley are more than evident of what’s to be expected from the upcoming Australian Open with respect to players following guidelines. Meanwhile, fans await news from Djokovic regarding his participation in the Australian tennis summer.

Also read: Why Has Novak Djokovic Never Won The Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award?