Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley insists Novak Djokovic wasn't afforded special treatment in his application for a medical exemption to compete in this year's Australian Open.
Djokovic's participation at this year's Open had been largely in doubt given the Victorian government's mandate for all players, fans and staff to have had both jabs before arriving at Melbourne Park.
Yet the Serbian took to Instagram on Tuesday night to confirm he'd received "exemption permission" to travel to Australia for the Open, where he'll be chasing a record 21st grand slam title.
It's seen widespread public anger, with some of Djokovic's competitors even scratching their heads as to what medical grounds Djokovic lodged his application on.
But speaking on Nine's Today Show, Tiley maintained "there’s been no special opportunity" granted to Djokovic to enter the country and compete.
"The grounds are the same grounds that anyone can get a medical exemption, any Australian returning home or any international guest," Tiley said on Wednesday morning.
"For tennis players, it was a process that goes above and beyond what anyone coming into Australia would experience simply because we had an extra panel of experts which, through a blind review, accessed any application and then granted exemptions if appropriate.
"In this case, an exemption was granted on grounds of which are personal medical information which we do not receive and it's up to that applicant to disclose what those grounds were."
Applications for medical exemptions to play in the Australian Open without proof of vaccination were assessed by two independent medical panels under guidelines issued back in November by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).
According to Tennis Australia, there were 26 applications in total, and while the numbers of those to be granted have yet to be revealed, it's reported the majority were for those who had contracted COVID-19 in the last six months.
While Djokovic was a confirmed case back in 2020, some have pointed to a break the 34-year-old took after the US Open in September suggesting he could've contracted it a second time.
Many believe Djokovic should reveal the reasons he applied for a medical exemption, but Tiley said that decision was the player's to make.
"That's completely up to Novak," he said.
"We're not in a position and neither is anyone to disclose the private medical information and personal information as it relates to someone's condition."
Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic has been granted an exemption to compete in the 2022 Australian Open following months of uncertainty over his vaccination status. Is this fair? #9Today pic.twitter.com/e1bnvXtUNs
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) January 4, 2022
Tiley said he could understand the confusion from some fans and players towards Djokovic's exemption.
“I certainly think people this morning would wake up to that news (and I) would completely understand and empathise with them being completely upset with that condition,” he said.
“Really at the end of the day, not only was there a process appropriately followed but the conditions in which any tennis player comes in, no matter who they are, conditions put on tennis and put on anyone coming into Australia by the Australian government (are equally as strict)."
DE MINAUR REACTS TO DJOKOVIC NEWS
Australia's No. 1 male Alex De Minaur was asked about the prospect of Djokovic being allowed to enter Australia through a medical exemption after his ATP Cup loss to Daniil Medvedev on Tuesday night.
He said: “I just think it’s very interesting. That’s all I’m going to say. I heard there were other cases as well that got exemptions. I just hope they all fit the criteria.”
Great Britain's Jamie Murray, brother of Andy Murray, said he doubts a player of his stature would've been afforded the same considerations.
“I don’t know what to say about that really. I think if it was me that wasn’t vaccinated I wouldn’t be getting an exemption. Well done to him for getting clear to come to Australia and compete,” Murray said.
