The Australian Open is set to kick off the 2022 season next month in Melbourne without wildcard entry Olivia Gadecki.
The Australian native has refused to comply with the tournament’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. One of Australia’s rising young stars, the 19-year old Gadecki reached the second qualifying round in singles at last year’s Australian Open, and made the second round of the main draw in doubles. She had a breakthrough a month later when she notched her first top-10 win, beating former Australian Open champion and fourth-ranked Sofia Kenin of the United States.
Gadecki won her first professional title in Turkey in May.
Craig Tiley, Australian Open tournament director, stated in order to compete all players must be inoculated to comply with the Victoria Government’s vaccine mandate. Tennis Australia, the continent’s governing body, has been in consultation with Gadecki hoping to change her mind, but the player remains unmoved and will thus sit out the opening Grand Slam tournament of 2022.
Soon to join Gadecki may be Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. The current world number one and defending champion, has refused to reveal his current vaccination status, making for an ambiguous start to the season. Djokovic is seeking a record 21st Grand Slam title and is currently on the entry list for next month’s tournament.
The Australian Open will take place in Melbourne from January 17-30.
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