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Australian Open: Novak Djokovic needs to prove exemption or go home, says country's Prime Minister

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 1/6/2022 2:09:53 PM

Melbourne, Jan 5 Men's tennis World No.1 Novak Djokovic needs to prove that he has a genuine medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination when he lands in Australia for the Australian Open or he will be "on the next plane home", the country's Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said. Djokovic, who is the defending champion at the Australian Open and holds the record for the most titles at the season's first Grand Slam, announced on Tuesday he received an exemption to play in the tournament in Melbourne and said he was heading to Australia. Tennis Australia and the Victorian state government said Djokovic was one of a "handful" of successful applicants among 26 people who sought exemptions from being vaccinated, but had not received any special treatment in the anonymous application process. "We await his presentation and what evidence he provides us to support that," Morrison told a media conference after chairing a meeting of state leaders about dealing with record levels of COVID.