By Stewart Perrie
Australia could potentially ban Novak Djokovic from coming Down Under for the Australian Open.
The country will require people to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus before travelling here if they want to avoid two weeks of quarantine.
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Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has drawn a line in the sand for those wanting to fly to the state without having the jab.
"I don't think an unvaccinated tennis player is going to get a visa to come into this country," he said. "If they did get a visa, they'd probably have to quarantine for a couple of weeks when no other players will have to.
"I don't think any other tennis player, or golfer, or Formula One driver, will even get a visa to get here.
"The vaccine doesn't care what your tennis ranking is or how many Grand Slams you have won. Sorry, the virus does not care.
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"Professional sport is part of that authorised worker list and they have to be double-dose vaccinated."
Last year's Australian Open was a bit of a debacle, with players from all over the world complaining about being cooped up inside hotel rooms before one of the biggest competitions on the calendar.
Djokovic led the charge on behalf of players and issued a list of demands to ensure they were ready for the Grand Slam.
He's also refused to open up about whether he has been vaccinated against the coronavirus.
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The top male player told Serbian newspaper Blic that it was a 'private matter'.
"Things beings as they are, I still don't know if I will go to Melbourne," Djokovic said. "I will not reveal my status whether I have been vaccinated or not, it is a private matter and an inappropriate inquiry.
"Of course I want to go, Australia is my most successful grand slam tournament. I want to compete, I love this sport and I am still motivated.
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"I am following the situation regarding the Australian Open ... I believe there will be a lot of restrictions just like this year, but I doubt there will be too many changes."
Australia's Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has been explicit that international arrivals, whether they're a superstar sportsperson or a regular traveller, will have to abide by the rules.
"Our health advice is that when we open the borders, everyone that comes to Australia will have to be double vaccinated," Mr Hawke told RN Breakfast.
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