Health Undersecretary Andrea Costa
said Friday that he was against the idea of allowing tennis
great Novak Djokovic to take part in the Italian Open in May
despite his refusal to have a COVID-19 jab, after his government
colleague Valentina Vezzali, the undersecretary with the sport
portfolio, had suggested this was a possibility.
The Serbian world number one was unable to defend his Australian
Open title in January because he is unvaccinated for the
coronavirus and he has said he is willing to miss other
tournaments if there is an obligation to be jabbed up.
Vezzali said this week that he would be able to play at the
Italian Open in Rome as Italy does not require the Super Green
Pass, which shows a person is vaccinated for COVID-19 or has
recovered from it, for open-air sports like tennis.
She added that Djokovic would have avoid staying in a hotel or
going to restaurants while in Italy.
"I'm not convinced by the reasons Undersecretary Vezzali gave
when she said Djokovic will be able to take part in the Italian
Open in Rome," Costa told Radio 24.
"There are rules that must be respected while they are in place.
"I think we must all be equal before the rules.
"Those who have a big following, who can help us with this
effort, have even more reason to give a good example.
"So I am against the presence of Djokovic at the Italian Open in
Rome".
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