ANTI-vaxxer Novak Djokovic’s Covid stance could ruin his career as he faces being banned from the French Open.
The French health ministry has announced vaccine passes will be required for visiting athletes for upcoming events.
If the rule remains in place until May, the Serbian tennis player will lose his chance at taking a record 21st Grand Slam win.
The vaccine pass law will require people to have a certificate to visit public places.
The French sports ministry said: “The rule is simple. The vaccine pass will be imposed, as soon as the law is promulgated, in establishments that were already subject to the health pass.
“This will apply to everyone who is a spectator or a professional sportsperson. And this until further notice.”
The rule change, approved by parliament on Sunday, specifically stated the French Open will not be exempt from the new guidelines.
The ministry continued: “Now, as far as Roland Garros is concerned – it’s in May. The situation may change between now and then and we hope that it will be more favourable. So we’ll see, but clearly there’s no exemption.”
The tennis world No 1 was sensationally kicked out of Australia in a visa row due to his vaccination status.
Djokovic’s simplest remedy would be to change his position and get the jab, as the unvaccinated face tougher restrictions around the world.
France’s move to tighten restrictions comes as Djokovic looked glum after landing in Dubai today.
The 34-year-old was seen posing for selfies in the airport on his way to board another plane after losing his see-saw legal battle.
He left Australia after his visa was cancelled by the local Government before losing his court appeal in Melbourne.
Having fallen foul of the country’s strict Migration Act, Djokovic will not be allowed back for three years “except in certain circumstances”.
In a statement before he left, Djokovic said: “I’m extremely disappointed with the court ruling to dismiss my application for judicial review of the minister’s decision to cancel my visa.
“I respect the court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country.
“I’m uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me. I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love.”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defending the decision to cancel the star’s visa, saying it was made on “health, safety and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so”.
He added: “I welcome the decision to keep our borders strong and keep Australians safe.”
The PM went on to say Australia had “made many sacrifices during this pandemic,” and that his country had “achieved one of the lowest death rates, strongest economies and highest vaccination rates in the world”.
Tennis’ governing body the ATP has branded the move a “loss for the game” and called the saga “a regrettable series of events”.
Djokovic is one of just three players inside the ATP’s top 100 who have not been vaccinated.
