MELBOURNE: Torn between a love of sport, public health fears and Novak Djokovic's Grand Slam record bid, Australia is suffering a bout of hesitancy as it considers whether unvaccinated players should be allowed to compete at the Australian Open.
For officials tasked with making such decisions, the ball seems to be in everyone's court but their own.
After months of speculation, the position finally seemed clear last week when Australia's immigration minister Alex Hawke said athletes would need to be double vaccinated to enter the country.
Four days later, however, the waters were muddied again with a leaked email from the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) telling players that unvaccinated athletes would still be welcome if they were prepared to do a 14-day quarantine.
Hawke's office has declined to comment on the WTA's letter but other officials have since undermined the minister's statement, saying that the issue is far from settled.
"It is not my call as to whether they are allowed into the country but if they are, we will manage that risk," Daniel Andrews, who runs Victoria's state government and is vehemently opposed to entry for the unvaccinated, said on Tuesday.
What that means for Djokovic and his bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title remains to be seen.
The Serbian world number one has declined to discuss his vaccination status and said last week he might not play at Melbourne Park, "things being as they are".
His absence would rob the tournament of arguably its biggest name, while leaving the record bid in limbo.
BORDERS SEALED
An "abundance of caution" has been Australia's mantra through the pandemic with the country's borders effectively sealed for 18 months.
Melbourne, the country's second-largest city and host of the Australian Open, has been locked down six times.
The sixth lockdown ended last Friday but only for the vaccinated 70% of adults. The unvaccinated remain banned from sporting events, bars and restaurants, and could remain so well into 2022.
Professional athletes, meanwhile, are under a vaccine mandate in Victoria which also covers coaches, officials, media and other staff involved in elite competition.
That means tennis players might well be the only unvaccinated cohort at the Australian Open, where ballkids, fans and umpires will need proof of vaccination.
Such a scenario has been viewed dimly by some fans and media pundits, who have urged organisers Tennis Australia and the government to take a stand.
"Even if that means game, set and match for world number one Novak Djokovic. It’s double vax or default," Greg Baum wrote in Melbourne newspaper The Age.
Tennis Australia (TA) has made no indication it will take such a step, saying only that it is working with authorities.
"We are optimistic that we can hold the Australian Open as close to pre-pandemic conditions as possible," TA said in a statement on Monday.
The stakes are high not just for 34-year-old Djokovic, a significant proportion of players remain unvaccinated, although the uptake is growing.
An Australian Open missing a number of top players would be a concern for organisers, who spent tens of millions of dollars on biosecurity for the last edition in February.
Those special arrangements for players proved controversial in the lead-up to the tournament, with Djokovic among a privileged group put up in luxury accommodation in Adelaide.
Those conditions were in stark contrast to the spartan rooms allocated to normal Australians for hotel quarantine.
Djokovic was then pilloried by local media for passing on a list of requests to make quarantine easier for players.
For TA, the issue of vaccinations is a delicate balancing act.
They are desperate to ensure Djokovic's participation in a strong field, while at the same time avoiding a public relations disaster if they are perceived to have secured a special deal for the unvaccinated.
Reuters
Wed Oct 27 2021
Australia is suffering a bout of hesitancy as it considers whether unvaccinated players should be allowed to compete at the Australian Open. - AWANI
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.