France has recently banned all unvaccinated people from their sports arenas
Novak Djokovic could be banned from the French Open after the country recently announced a Covid pass will be required, banning all unvaccinated people from sporting arenas.
The Serb was recently deported from Australia following 12 days of legal battles in an attempt to have his visa accepted, with the Federal Court siding alongside the country’s immigration minister, Alex Hawke, who upheld the decision to cancel the world number one’s visa, subsequently banning Djokovic from the country for the next three years.
The French Open is the next Grand Slam in the tennis calendar – due to take place in May – which the Serb was expected to feature at, but new rules may now dictate that he is ineligible to play at Roland Garros.
France’s recently approved vaccine pass will mean anyone who has yet to receive a vaccination will be barred from restaurants, sports arenas and a host of other venues and will apply to anyone who is 16 and over.
Stanislas Guerin, a member of the National Assembly Board for France condemned Djokovic’s actions in Australia and said the rules will not change for him.
“Djokovic’s behaviour was irresponsible. Australia is a sovereign country which makes it rules and the rules should be respected.” he said via the Daily Mail.
“We can’t have two weights and two measures regarding the Covid Pass. If you are called Djoko, Nadal or Mr Whoever, you respect the rules.
“All the big events which will take place in France will adopt the Covid Pass. Who would understand if we asked our citizens to make an effort and respect the rules and we then authorised some to get out of them?”
Djokovic is currently the reigning champion of the French Open title and is in pursuit of a third Roland Garros crown as well as a 21st Grand Slam victory, which would make him the outright holder for the most Grand Slam victories.
Related links:
- Australia confirms Djokovic is banned from country for three years
- Djokovic’s father calls son’s deportation from Australia ‘an assassination attempt’
- Novak Djokovic speaks out after losing visa battle in Australia
