<p>Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic would be granted entry to France for the French Open even if he was unvaccinated against Covid-19, the sports minister said on Friday.</p>.<p>The 34-year-old Serb is in an immigration detention hotel in Melbourne while he appeals against his visa being dramatically revoked for failing to meet the tough Covid-19 restrictions in Australia, leaving his hopes of playing in the Australian Open in the balance.</p>.<p>Those granted permission to enter Australia must prove they are fully vaccinated or have a doctor's medical exemption, with authorities saying he provided evidence of neither.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/djokovic-fans-protest-shock-australia-detention-1068825.html" target="_blank">Djokovic fans protest shock Australia detention</a></strong></p>.<p>French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu told radio station France Info that Djokovic, who has openly been sceptical about the vaccine, would benefit from a special case scenario in France for major events such as the French Open.</p>.<p>Djokovic had travelled to Australia having been given a medical exemption by the Australian Open organisers but it fell short of the demands of the immigration authorities.</p>.<p>"There are health protocols imposed for major events by the relevant federations which would permit someone like Novak Djokovic to enter the country," Maracineanu said.</p>.<p>"In France today we do not have the same regulations as Australia for entry to the country, either for athletes or any citizens from other countries.</p>.<p>"An athlete who is unvaccinated can compete in an event because the protocol, the health bubble for these major events, permits that."</p>.<p>Maracineanu added that she hoped the situation would be clearer by May, when the French Open is scheduled to get underway.</p>.<p>"We hope there will be no need for such measures by then."</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>
<p>Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic would be granted entry to France for the French Open even if he was unvaccinated against Covid-19, the sports minister said on Friday.</p>.<p>The 34-year-old Serb is in an immigration detention hotel in Melbourne while he appeals against his visa being dramatically revoked for failing to meet the tough Covid-19 restrictions in Australia, leaving his hopes of playing in the Australian Open in the balance.</p>.<p>Those granted permission to enter Australia must prove they are fully vaccinated or have a doctor's medical exemption, with authorities saying he provided evidence of neither.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/djokovic-fans-protest-shock-australia-detention-1068825.html" target="_blank">Djokovic fans protest shock Australia detention</a></strong></p>.<p>French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu told radio station France Info that Djokovic, who has openly been sceptical about the vaccine, would benefit from a special case scenario in France for major events such as the French Open.</p>.<p>Djokovic had travelled to Australia having been given a medical exemption by the Australian Open organisers but it fell short of the demands of the immigration authorities.</p>.<p>"There are health protocols imposed for major events by the relevant federations which would permit someone like Novak Djokovic to enter the country," Maracineanu said.</p>.<p>"In France today we do not have the same regulations as Australia for entry to the country, either for athletes or any citizens from other countries.</p>.<p>"An athlete who is unvaccinated can compete in an event because the protocol, the health bubble for these major events, permits that."</p>.<p>Maracineanu added that she hoped the situation would be clearer by May, when the French Open is scheduled to get underway.</p>.<p>"We hope there will be no need for such measures by then."</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>