Djokovic not welcomed at Italian Open

The President of the Italian Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malagò has said that he is against the idea of world no 1 Novak Djokovic participating in the Italian Open this May over the Serb’s stance towards the COVID-19 vaccination.

Djokovic missed the Australian Open last month due to his refusal to take the COVID-19 jab and he has said that he is prepared to miss majors if it means that he does not have to take the vaccination.

Malagò’s comments come amidst Italian government under sectretary in the sports portfolio Valentina Vazzali suggesting that there could be a loophole for Djokovic to play in Italy.

Italy does not require the Super Green pass which shows that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19 or recovered from it for sports such as tennis. However, she did add that Djokovic would have to avoid staying in a hotel or going to a restaurant while in Italy.