Novak Djokovic could face a ban from locker rooms and other on-site facilities while unvaccinated, even if he manages to continue entering certain tournaments.
Instructions sent to players participating at lower-tier events in Italy, seen by Sportsmail, spell out draconian restrictions applying to the few who remain unjabbed.
According to ATP sources, there is widespread expectation that these are to be brought in across the tour to simplify rules and avoid the kind of confusion seen in Australia.
Novak Djokovic could face a ban from locker rooms and other facilities while unvaccinated
Away from Melbourne, there are a series of Challenger events going on in Italy, an increasingly important market for tennis that hosts one of the classic clay-court Opens and the year-end tour finals in Turin.
The document states that unvaccinated players are allowed to compete, provided that they return a negative Covid test every 48 hours. However, in highlighted red type it then goes on to say: ‘They will not be allowed to use any tournament facilities (locker rooms, gym, on-site cafes etc), restaurants or hotels.’
It also emphasises that strict rules will govern who they can bring in: ‘Unvaccinated PSTs (Player Support Teams) will be permitted on-site only if they are a coach. Please note partners or family members will not be allowed to enter the tournament site.’
They are described as government-imposed measures but according to sources, discussions are taking place for these regulations to be applied more widely across tour events going forward.
On Wednesday, former women’s world No 1 Victoria Azarenka, a member of the WTA Player Council, called for a universal ‘no jab, no play’ rule to be introduced.
The Italian statutes would mean that the only places someone like Djokovic could operate on a tournament site are the actual courts, in order to play and practise.
Djokovic was deported from Australia after a legal wrangle over his Covid vaccine exemption
They will also hit
