Novak Djokovic may be banned from the locker room if he remains unvaccinated.
According to ATP sources, in order to avoid the kind of confusion seen in Australia regarding the Serbian’s visa and unvaccinated status, other tournaments are expected to make vaccines compulsory in order to play.
However, if the 34-year-old is allowed to play in some tournaments, he is likely to be barred from the players areas and other on-site facilities.
For example in a series of ongoing challenger events in Italy, the unvaccinated are allowed to participate, providing they produce a negative Covid test every 48 hours.
However, according to an official document, they are barred from using "any tournament facilities (locker rooms, gym, on-site cafes etc), restaurants or hotels.’"
It also reads: “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.”
The likes of two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka have called for a vaccine mandate at all tournaments to avoid any confusion or grey areas.
"I believe in science. I believe in getting vaccinated," said the Belarusian.
"That is what I did for myself. I don't want to push my beliefs onto everybody else, however, we are playing a global sport."
He added: "I don't believe that this was something that just came out of nowhere. This could have been prevented.
"This could have been addressed way earlier than it was at this point. What happened after, I don't believe there was anybody who looked good in any case. That became a bit of a circus.
"I think there should be a really hard look on this situation moving forward. I think as soon as there is a grey area in the rules, that gives a bit too much questions, and situations like this happen.
"On certain things I think a black and white approach is necessary. In my opinion, this should be the case."
Djokovic’s woes may be set to continue as the French Open declared he needs to be vaccinated to participate, as well as the US Open.
Wimbledon meanwhile, provided no assurances that Djokovic will be allowed to play, even if unvaccinated sportspeople are able to compete and train in the UK.
He is one of just three players inside the top 100 male and female players who have not been jabbed, along with America’s Tennys Sandgren and an unnamed women’s player.
