Reuters
Tennis – ATP Finals – Pala Alpitour, Turin, Italy – November 19, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his group stage match against Britain’s Cameron Norrie REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
Reuters
Tennis – ATP Finals – Pala Alpitour, Turin, Italy – November 19, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his group stage match against Britain’s Cameron Norrie REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
After months of speculation, Novak Djokovic finally confirmed yesterday that he will play in the Australian Open 2022. The 20-time Grand Slam champion received a medical exemption from Tennis Australia to defend his title at the major.
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In fact, Djokovic had been trying to secure the medical exemption for a long time now. Moreover, it also cost him his place in Team Serbia at the ATP Cup, which he had to withdraw from.
Many fans have been unhappy with the decision, citing ‘special treatment’ that Djokovic demanded. However, former World No. 1 WTA star Kim Clijsters defended Novak against the naysayers.
Kim Clijsters defends Novak Djokovic on Twitter
Questions were raised about Novak Djokovic demanding exclusive treatment in terms of being granted an exemption on Twitter. Kim Clijsters responded to one of the tweets, wondering how all non-vaccinated players (including Novak) will live in Australia.
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Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Paris Masters – Accor Arena, Paris, France – November 7, 2021. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his final match against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
She asked if non-vaccinated players “will have to undergo testing every day,” and be in “separate locker-rooms, separate eating area(s)” in her tweet.
This further invited more questions about exactly how many players were unvaccinated and there via medical exemptions. Clijsters then responded with a clear number.
Apparently 26 players asked for an exemption, a handful of players got the exemption granted . Not just Novak , I guess Novak is the only one who has been honest about it so far .
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) January 4, 2022
Clijsters informed that there were a total of 26 players who had applied for a medical exemption. However, only a handful of them successfully got it.
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Moreover, she mentioned how it was not just Novak Djokovic, who applied for and received a medical exemption. Then, she appreciated the honesty with which Novak has conducted himself. “I guess Novak is the only one who has been honest about it so far,” Clijsters tweeted.
Novak’s exemption has been the hot topic in the tennis world and has drawn both support and criticism from people. What do you make of the situation? Let us know in the comments.
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