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Unvaccinated Athletes Unlikely to Get Visas to Enter Australia, Says Official

Tennis balls are pictured in front of the Australian Open logo before the tennis tournament, Melbourne, Australia, January 14, 2018. (Reuters)
Tennis balls are pictured in front of the Australian Open logo before the tennis tournament, Melbourne, Australia, January 14, 2018. (Reuters)
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Unvaccinated Athletes Unlikely to Get Visas to Enter Australia, Says Official

Tennis balls are pictured in front of the Australian Open logo before the tennis tournament, Melbourne, Australia, January 14, 2018. (Reuters)
Tennis balls are pictured in front of the Australian Open logo before the tennis tournament, Melbourne, Australia, January 14, 2018. (Reuters)

Unvaccinated tennis players and other athletes are unlikely to get visas to enter Australia, a government official said on Tuesday, putting Novak Djokovic's Australian Open title defense and bid for the Grand Slam record in doubt.

World number one Novak Djokovic, level on 20 Grand Slam titles with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, declined to reveal his vaccination status again this week and said he was unsure if he would defend his Australian Open title as authorities work out COVID-19 restrictions for the tournament.

Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews said he doubted any unvaccinated athletes would be allowed into the country, let alone Victoria which hosts the Australian Open in Melbourne.

"I don't think an unvaccinated tennis player is going to get a visa to come into this country and if they did get a visa they'd probably have to quarantine for a couple of weeks," Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews told a media briefing.

"I don't think that the person you indicated (Djokovic) or any other tennis player, let's not personalize it ... or golfer or Formula One driver will even get a visa to get here.

"If I'm wrong I'm sure the federal government will let you know.

"(The virus) doesn't care what your tennis ranking is, or how many Grand Slams you've won. It's completely irrelevant. You need to be vaccinated to keep yourself safe and to keep others safe."

Tennis Australia, which organizes the Australian Open, did not provide immediate comment.

Victoria recently introduced a vaccine mandate for professional athletes, without clarifying whether it would cover those coming from abroad or other Australian states.

Andrews suggested the mandate did cover international athletes and said there should not be special arrangements for athletes coming to compete at high-profile events.

"On the question of vaccination, no," he said.

"Professional sport is part of those (items on the) authorized worker list and they have to be double-dose vaccinated.

"This is here for a while .... We're not going to be essentially encouraging people to not get vaccinated because they reckon they can wait a few months or a few weeks.

"You can't wait out coronavirus."

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Henderson Leads Ajax to Brink of Dutch Title

Ajax coach Francesco Farioli looks on during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AFC Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 27 April 2025. EPA/MAURICE VAN STEEN
Ajax coach Francesco Farioli looks on during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AFC Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 27 April 2025. EPA/MAURICE VAN STEEN
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Henderson Leads Ajax to Brink of Dutch Title

Ajax coach Francesco Farioli looks on during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AFC Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 27 April 2025. EPA/MAURICE VAN STEEN
Ajax coach Francesco Farioli looks on during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AFC Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 27 April 2025. EPA/MAURICE VAN STEEN

If Ajax Amsterdam hold on to their lead in the Dutch top flight and are crowned champions, then captain Jordan Henderson will enjoy a lion’s share of the plaudits for his role in returning the former European champions to the summit of the game in the Netherlands.
Ajax have overcome two miserable past seasons to sit four points clear of defending champions PSV Eindhoven with three rounds left in the Eredivisie campaign and are inching closer to the title, with veteran England international Henderson a major driving force.
Victory over NEC Nijmegen at home on Sunday and then away to FC Groningen next week would see Ajax to a record-extending 29th title.
The 34-year-old Henderson has had an outstanding season, skippering the club while at the same time winning a recall to the England squad.
"He's a player who, just by example, is able to lead the group and to move all the players in the right direction,” coach Francesco Farioli said earlier this year.
"He's a benchmark for everybody, especially the ones who are relying on work ethic and mentality," he told SkySports.
Henderson arrived at Ajax in February last year, not long after the club had been bottom of the table for the first time in their history and were looking for a player to provide leadership, both on and off the pitch.
But the former Liverpool captain's first months proved disappointing as he battled injury, and there was an earful of criticism of his performances, Reuters reported.
When Farioli took over as coach at the start of this season, Henderson was asked to fulfil a new role as defensive midfielder.
“It was something different that the coach wanted from my position, both with and without the ball. For me it was great that even at my age that I could learn something new,” Henderson told reporters at the time.
The switch has paid dividends, with Ajax boasting the best defensive statistics in the league with 27 goals conceded in 31 games, in stark contrast to the 2023/24 campaign, when they conceded 61 goals.
The England international's vast experience was also crucial in the encounters against Ajax's key rivals. “In the big matches, Henderson is vitally important for Ajax,” said television analyst and former Ajax star Rafael van der Vaart.
Younger teammates have spoken about Henderson's dedication to training and recovery and how he has helped instill a better work culture at the club.
His recall to the England squad in March was also a nod to his influence at Ajax, something that new manager Thomas Tuchel was well aware of.