Tiley says Djokovic “won't want to risk” missing out on Australian Open

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley says world number one Novak Djokovic “won’t want to risk” missing out on the tournament as a result of being unvaccinated.

Djokovic, who is aiming to win a record 21st major, has refused to reveal whether he has been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Tiley said clarity would come soon, with Djokovic only allowed to play in the event if gets vaccinated.

“He has not shared his status with anyone,” he said on SEN’s Whateley.

"He believes that what you say about your medical position is private and he believes people should have the right to choose.

“Novak has won nine Australian Opens and I’m sure he wants to get to 10. I don’t think Novak will want to risk that, but it’s a question only he can answer.

“It has been a hot topic, I have answered more questions on that than anything else. He is one of the greatest of all time and our public appreciates that.

“He has a view that some share and the majority don’t. There will be fair treatment of Novak. One thing we know, if he is playing here in January, then he is vaccinated.

The staging of the Australian Open has been an enormous task for Tiley and his team over the past two years – with the indefatigable boss admitting “none of us have had a break since 2019”.

Tennis Australia confirmed the rest of the summer of tennis on Thursday afternoon, with 10 ATP and WTA tournaments to take place in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide before the Australian Open begins on January 17.