Vaccination Rules make Russian out of the Australian Open bid.
SYDNEY– The Russian Nata Vikhlyantseva announced she wouldn’t be able in her travels to Australia and participate in the inaugural Grand Slam of next season due to her COVID-19 vaccination not being recognized by the Health authorities in Australia.
All players must have two doses of a vaccine that is approved or a medical exemption to compete in the Australian Open, which takes place from January. 17 to 30.
It is reported that the Russian Sputnik V is not on the vaccine list accepted by government officials of the Australian government, making the former the world’s number 54 Vikhlyantseva not able to play in Melbourne Park.
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“Unfortunately, I will not participate in this year (Australian Open),” the 24-year-old posted on Twitter.
“I’m thrilled with the level of tennis I showed on the last few events, and I wish to play in (Australia), but Sputnik is not verified yet.”
Presently ranked 194th in the entire world. As a result, Vikhlyantseva was required to qualify for Melbourne Park’s Melbourne Park or be awarded the wildcard needed to get into the main draw for singles.
In the past, Vikhlyantseva lost to compatriot Valeria Savinykh during the opening round of Australian Open qualifying, which was relocated to Dubai due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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