18 Jan. 2022 (CNN)
Novak Djokovic has arrived back in Serbia's capital Belgrade after his deportation from Australia ended the world No. 1 tennis player's hopes of playing in the Australian Open.
The Australian Open is the first grand slam of the tennis season. The second is the French Open at Roland Garros, which is being staged between May 22 and June 5.But all professional athletes who wish to compete in France will have to be vaccinated against Covid-19, France's Sports Ministry told CNN on Monday.
France's vaccine pass law, approved by parliament on Sunday, will require people to have a vaccine certificate to enter public places such as restaurants, cafes, cinemas and sports arenas, among others.
"The rule is simple. The vaccine pass will be required once the law comes into force in institutions that were already subject to the health pass (sporting or cultural). This will apply to everyone (spectators, professional sportspeople)," a French Sports Ministry spokeswoman told CNN.That new legislation puts the chances of Djokovic, who has not been vaccinated against Covid-19, competing at the French Open in jeopardy.
The French Open previously allowed for unvaccinated players to compete as they operated in a bubble around the tournament.He will also have to comply with Spain's health rules to compete in the upcoming Madrid Open that kicks off in late April, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday.
Sanchez lauded Australia's decision to deport Djokovic, saying he has "total respect for the decision of the Australian government. "Spain currently requires visitors to show proof of full vaccination, a recent negative Covid test within 72 hours before arrival or a certificate of having recovered from Covid-19, according to its health ministry
.International sporting events in the country may add additional rules for participants such as Covid-19 testing on a daily basis during the tournament, a senior government official told CNN on Monday.
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