Novak Djokovic could be barred from the French Open if he's still not vaccinated against Covid-19 in time.
The world No. 1 tennis player returned to Serbia on Monday, January 17, after a visa row lead to him being deported from Australia, where he had intended to defend his title at the Australian Open.
But it seems that this is only the start of trouble for the Serbian athlete, who it is rumored may also be disallowed from competing in the French tournament this spring, HuffPost reports.
Djokovic first ran into difficulty at the beginning of January, when he was denied entry at Melbourne airport due to not being fully vaccinated.
The tennis star claimed to qualify for a medical exemption because he had proof of a recent covid infection. A legal row ensued, and after having his visa reinstated then canceled again by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, Djokovic was deported on Sunday - just hours before the Australian Open began on Monday morning.
His exclusion from the tournament spells bad news for his future sporting campaigns. Already concerns are being raised over whether the star will be allowed to compete in the French Open, due to a new law excluding the unvaccinated from stadiums and other public spaces.
Due to start in late May, there were original plans to create a 'bubble' around the Grand Slam tournament so that unvaccinated players could still compete.
However, French Parliament member Christopher Castaner has said that that is no longer the case and that the new law will now apply to anyone who wants to play.
Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu echoed this, telling BFM television on Monday:
"To do your job, to come for pleasure or leisure, to practice a sport, it will be necessary to present a vaccine. This will be valid for people who live in France but also for foreigners who come to our country for vacation or for a major sports competition."
But hope is not lost for the Serbian player. Certain details of the French law are still being finalized, including whether people recently recovered from Covid will qualify for an exemption as Djokovic had hoped to in Australia.
Meanwhile, he will likely be able to compete in the other two Grand Slam tournaments - Wimbledon and the U.S. Open - unless Covid laws in the UK or U.S change drastically.
Nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic had been hoping to secure his 21st Grand Slam singles trophy at the tournament - a victory which would have made him the most decorated male tennis player in history.
It is still unclear whether he will be allowed back into Australia, where deportation can result in a three-year ban.