Novak Djokovic might be barred from all locker rooms or other facilities, even though he continues to play in certain tournaments.
Instructions to lower-tier players in Italy were seen by SportsmailThe few remaining unjabbled will be subject to draconian restrictions.
Sources from ATP indicate that there is a widespread belief among tour participants that such a system will be implemented across the tour, in an effort to reduce confusion and simplify the rules.
Novak Djokovic may be barred from locker rooms or other facilities if he is not vaccinated
There are several Challenger events taking place in Italy. It is an important market for tennis, and it hosts both the traditional clay-court Opens, as well the finals of the year in Turin.
Unvaccinated players can compete provided they submit a negative Covid test at least once every 48 hours. However, in highlighted red type it then goes on to say: ‘They will not be allowed to use any tournament facilities (locker rooms, gym, on-site cafes etc), restaurants or hotels.’
It also emphasises that strict rules will govern who they can bring in: ‘Unvaccinated PSTs (Player Support Teams) will be permitted on-site only if they are a coach. Please note partners or family members will not be allowed to enter the tournament site.’
These regulations are government-imposed but sources say that discussions are ongoing to make these rules more widespread across all tour events.
On Wednesday, former women’s world No 1 Victoria Azarenka, a member of the WTA Player Council, called for a universal ‘no jab, no play’ rule to be introduced.
According to Italian law, Djokovic cannot operate at a tournament site unless the courts are available for play or practice.
After a dispute over Djokovic’s exemption from the Covid vaccine, Djokovic was expelled from Australia
Because he is close to the country, they’ll also resonate. He is fluent in Serbian and enjoys greater crowd support than anywhere else outside of Serbia.
He has won the ATP event in Rome five times and donated €1million (£830,000) during the pandemic specifically to support Covid relief efforts in Italy. The Australian Open is now in full swing and he’s quietly returned to Belgrade. He promised not to be too public during the two week period while he planned his next moves.
Already, the world’s No. 1 has found his options for playing reduced. The US Open and French Open are still on the table as current policies. He also has options in Dubai, Spain, or the UK, provided that he fulfills visa requirements.
The Djokovic affair continues to cast a shadow over the season’s first Grand Slam.
Azarenka was a Melbourne champion and asked for clarification after the third round. She suggested that mandatory jab policies would work best.
Former women’s world No 1 Victoria Azarenka (above), a member of the WTA Player Council, called for a universal ‘no jab, no play’ rule to be introduced
‘As soon as there is a grey area in the rules, that gives a few too many questions, and situations like this happen,’ she said. ‘On certain things, a black and white approach is necessary.’
She acknowledged that compulsory jabs could pose legal issues. ‘We have to respect countries, different mandates, legalities,’ she said. Locker room bans are easier to enforce.
There was also a contribution from Australia’s one-time world No 8 and former Wimbledon doubles finalist John Alexander, a member of the Canberra parliament. He called for the majors to have a unified approach: ‘What has to happen is the four Grand Slams must have common rules,’ he told The Age.
‘Each country is the custodian of one of the four jewels in the crown. All players need to come together to find a way forward that makes it clear.
‘If exemptions are part of it, don’t put it in small print. Say, “Here it is, you need to be double vaccinated or face two weeks of quarantine”.’
Novak Djokovic has an 80 per cent stake in a Danish biotech firm which is aiming to develop a medical treatment for Covid-19, the company’s chief executive revealed on Wednesday.
Ivan Loncarevic (QuantBioRes CEO) declined to reveal how much Djokovic had spent.