Novak Djokovic will defend his Australian Open title after the Serbian world No. 1 was granted a medical exemption from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, the player confirmed Tuesday.
Djokovic, who had declined to reveal his COVID-19 vaccination status, said previously that he was unsure whether he would compete at the Grand Slam due to concerns over Australia's quarantine rules.
"I've spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I'm heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let's go 2022," the Serbian player said on Instagram.
Organizers of the Australian Open, which starts on Jan. 17 at Melbourne Park, had stipulated that all participants must be vaccinated against the coronavirus or have a medical exemption granted by an independent panel of experts.
But Djokovic pulled out of the Serbia team for the ATP Cup in Sydney to raise doubts over his participation in the year's first Grand Slam in Melbourne.
"I am ready to live and breathe tennis in the next few weeks of competition. Thanks everyone for the support," Djokovic added in his statement, which was accompanied by a picture of him in an airport.
Djokovic has won a record nine Australian Open titles, including the last three, and is in a three-way tie on 20 majors with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal in the all-time list.
