Tuesday, March 1, 2022 – 15:01 WIB
VIVA – Italian Olympic Committee President Giovanni Malago has banned Novak Djokovic from appearing at the 2022 Italian Open. Malago believes the Serbian’s decision not to get vaccinated will send the wrong message to his fans. Tuesday 01 March 2022.
Last week, Italy’s deputy cabinet minister for sport Valentina Vezzali said Djokovic might be allowed to compete in the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 level tournament. Malago, however, immediately denied this.
Malago said there would be no special waivers or exemptions for Djokovic. He imposed restrictive regulations on an equal basis with other Italian citizens.
Tennis player from Serbia, Novak Djokovic.
Photos :
- ANTARA/REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/am.
As quoted from News Delivers “That’s not true at all (Vezzali’s message). Even if (Djokovic) bathes, eats and sleeps in rudimentary conditions, the message is completely wrong,” said Malago.
Djokovic insists he does not want to be vaccinated against Covid-19. He argued that he had no idea how it could affect his body. The tenacity of this principle kept him out of the 2022 Australian Open Grand Slam last January.
“Explain to me why a champion who is in a similar situation can get a special pass?” Malago said, quoted from the Tennis World USA page
