Now, Novak Djokovic could be barred from French Open

A sreengrab of Novak Djokovic at the Dubai airport yesterday

Novak Djokovic could be barred from playing in the French Open under current rules after the sports ministry said on Monday that elite sportspeople would need to be vaccinated to perform in France. The ministry said a new vaccine pass, approved by the French parliament on Sunday, "applies to everyone, to volunteers and to elite sportspeople, including those coming from abroad, until further notice."

Arrival in Belgrade

Meanwhile, Djokovic arrived back home in Belgrade Monday after his deportation from Australia over his Coronavirus vaccination status demolished his dream of earning a record 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne. The unvaccinated men's world number one flew out of Melbourne on Sunday after he failed in a last-gasp court bid to stay and play in the Australian Open.

‘Justice had spoken'

Rafael Nadal said "justice had spoken" but that Djokovic was not the only one to blame for the "mess" that overshadowed the Australian Open. The Spanish great also said that he would have preferred it if his rival Djokovic had been playing in the first Grand Slam of the year.

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