Vaccination Exemption in Professional Athletics: Should Players Have Choice?

Novak Djokovic was banned from competing in the Australian Open due to his unvaccinated status, sparking controversy about the future of professional athletics in a pandemic

The world’s number one tennis player, Novak Djokovic, made international headlines in early January when the Australian courts rejected his bid to override the country’s vaccine requirements in order to play in the Australian Open.

After previously receiving an exemption from abiding by the country’s and Australian Open’s tennis vaccination requirements — the first Grand Slam tennis tournament to require a vaccine to watch or play — Djokovic was later held by federal border officials after not meeting the strict COVID-19 protocols put in place. 

Following a cancellation of his Visa and a placement in immigration detention, Djokovic’s attorneys filed an appeal with the hopes of evading potential consequences enforced by the government.

According to his lawyers, the tennis player received an “exemption certificate” from the Chief Medical Officer of Tennis Australia on the grounds that he had recently recovered from COVID-19. Officials say, however, Djokovic knowingly failed to report that he had been in “multiple countries over the two weeks before his arrival,” subsequently breaking the country’s strict quarantine rules. 

The country boasts one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, with over 89% of individuals over the age of 16 being fully protected against the virus. 

Djokovic’s initial exemption angered many Australian citizens, creating controversy as to whether or not the tennis star was receiving preferential treatment based on his occupation and social status. 

The Australian Immigration Minister, Alex Hawke, reiterated these feelings in his public statement confirming the cancellation of Djokovic’s Visa: “Djokovic is perceived by some as a talisman of a community of anti-vaccination sentiment,” the Minister said. His involvement in the tournament may be “counterproductive to efforts at vaccination by others in Australia.” Canceling it would be on “health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so,” he said.

On Jan. 20, three federal judges concordantly rejected Djokovic’s legal efforts to stay in the country, claiming that Minister Hawke’s judgment was justified and that the tennis player’s presence could potentially “encourage anti-vax protests,” something Australia has made an effort to minimize since the start of the pandemic. 

The written note attached to the ruling also included sentiments in relation to Djokoivc’s influence over the public, particularly how the tennis player could influence others to avoid getting vaccinated.

"The possible influence on the second group comes from common sense and human experience: An iconic world tennis star may influence people of all ages, young or old, but perhaps especially the young and the impressionable, to emulate him. This is not fanciful; it does not need evidence," the judgment said.

While Djokovic’s hopes for winning his tenth Australian Open title may have been dashed and his eligibility to return remains inconclusive (Australian law enforces a three-year ban following a break in COVID-19 protocol), many have begun questioning what the future of professional sports will look like.

Athletes like Djokovic aren’t unfamiliar with the privileges that come with stardom, but when personal decisions contradict public health and safety order, the line between choice and obligation seemingly becomes blurred.

“If they are mixing with others, they should protect others, no matter what their role is, ” said Assistant Public Health Director and Professor at Santa Clara, Michele Parker.

“I think their role as a public figure/role model isn't the main issue here,” said Parker. “The main issue, from a public health standpoint, is that they are interacting with teammates or players of an opposing team. They are putting these players at risk if they aren't vaccinated and that's not good public health.”

“Athletes should also prioritize their job and minimize the disruption to those they come in contact with,” she continued. Which, as in an event as large as the Australian Open, could be upwards of thousands.

As a recent New York Times article revealed, tennis players in particular have been relatively slow on getting vaccinated. After the United States Tennis Association announced last fall that a “proof of coronavirus vaccination would be required for all spectators” at Grand Slam events, “adults in the stands will now be roughly twice as likely to be vaccinated as the players on court,” with averages just over 50% for all professional players in the WTA an ATP tour. 

“My basic philosophy is: If you’re afraid of it, you get vaccinated; if not, no. It’s still a choice,” said Gilles Simon, a French player who was recently “disqualified” from competing in the U.S. Open due to “medical reasons.” It was later revealed those reasons stemmed from his lack of vaccination. 

While no mandate currently exists for professional players, many sports leagues have contrastingly required coaches and other medical personnel to get vaccinated. As federal and state guidelines continue to change as the pandemic does, more and more athletes have notably been forced to either get the vaccine or sit out — regardless of opinion or personal belief. 

“At this point, it’s a public safety issue,” said Parker. “Personal choice should matter, but consider first what your job is, and what the implications are if you avoid protocols that are designed to save the lives of others.” 

Even though the Supreme Court rejected a bid from President Biden to enforce a vaccine mandate for businesses and organizations larger than 100 people, efforts like this one will likely go on as the world continues to battle against the virus.

Without the enforcement of a mandate, many professional sports leagues (and their players) are left on their own to determine what is allowed. Federal regulations, however, will likely propel athletes to get the vaccine or at the very least adhere to a strict testing regimen — leaving professional athletes with a decision to make.

“Whether someone wants to get a vaccine or not, that’s completely up to them,” Djokovic said in a recent interview with the New York Times. “I hope that it stays that way.” The tennis star isn’t alone in this viewpoint, but personal choice only goes so far when it comes to protecting fans.