‘Small’ number of exemptions issued for Australian Open

A small number of players and staff will be granted medical exemptions from vaccination to come to Australia for the first Slam of 2022 next month.

Tennis Australia officials are prepared the first of up to 3000 players and support staff to arrive in either Sydney or Melbourne from December 28.

TA chief Craig Tiley said he was confident two of the world’s biggest names, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, would play the first major of 2022.

“The great thing is that everyone [coming to Australia] is vaccinated,” Tiley said.

“Everyone who is coming in is vaccinated and there will be a small percentage – a very small percentage – that will have a medical exemption.

“So if any player, fan or workforce is on site here – you’re either vaccinated or you have a medical exemption that’s approved and you’re on the Australian Immunisation Register.

“That provides us with safety and an extra level of comfort on site.”