Novak Djokovic must be vaccinated if he is to chase a record 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open next year, it has been confirmed ©Getty Images

All players competing at next year’s Australian Open in Melbourne must be vaccinated, tournament director Craig Tiley confirmed today, in a decision which could have major repercussions for world number one Novak Djokovic.

The Serbian has so far steadfastly refused to confirm whether or not he has had the vaccine against COVID-19.

Melbourne has so far spent more 250 days under lockdown since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 and the Government in Victoria has refused to grant any concessions to allow players who are not vaccinated to take part in the first Grand Slam of the year.

Tiley has now spelt the situation out to the world’s top players, including Djokovic, winner of 20 Grand Slam titles, including nine at the Australian Open.

Australian Open director Craig Tiley, left, remains hopeful that Novak Djokovic will be in Melbourne in January to chase a 10th title ©Getty Images
Australian Open director Craig Tiley, left, remains hopeful that Novak Djokovic will be in Melbourne in January to chase a 10th title ©Getty Images

"There’s a lot of speculation about vaccination and just to be really clear, when the [Victoria] Premier [Daniel Andrews] announced that everyone on site... will need to be vaccinated, we made that clear to the playing group," he told Channel Nine television.

"All the playing group understands it, our patrons will need to be vaccinated, all the staff working at the Australian Open will need to be vaccinated."

Djokovic would be aiming for a record 21st Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park having won the last thee Australian Open titles.

"We would love to see Novak here," Tiley said.

"He knows that he’ll have to be vaccinated to play here.

"He’s won the Australian Open nine times, I think he’d love to make it double digits and win it 10 times."

This year's Australian Open in Melbourne was affected by measures to fight COVID-19, including crowds being restricted ©Getty Images
This year's Australian Open in Melbourne was affected by measures to fight COVID-19, including crowds being restricted ©Getty Images

Djokovic announced this month he would await official confirmation on the requirements from Tennis Australia before making a decision about taking part in next year’s tournament, due to take place from January 17 until 30.

"I am going to decide on whether I go to Australia after I see an official statement from Tennis Australia," he said.

"There has been no official announcement or statement and until that is out, I won’t be talking about this anymore.

"I do not want to be part of the stories about the assumptions and what ifs."

The Australian Open went ahead this year, but players were forced to spend two weeks in hotel quarantine, crowds were restricted, and a five-day snap lockdown was called mid-event.