World No. 1 men’s tennis player, Novak Djokovic, will need to adhere to the health regulations set by Spain to be eligible for travel to the country, according to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Following Djokovic’s deportation from Australia due to his unvaccinated status against COVID-19, questions arose about his entry into Spain. Sanchez emphasized that any athlete wanting to compete in Spain must comply with the country’s health protocols.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, present during Sanchez’s news conference in Spain, underscored the importance of respecting varying rules across different countries. Regardless of one’s status, Scholz stressed the need to abide by the rules in place.
Djokovic is a frequent visitor to Spain, where he owns a residence in Marbella. Recent video footage captured him training in Spain in late December and early January. Presently, Spain requires individuals to possess either a vaccination certificate, a negative PCR test, or a certificate confirming recovery from COVID-19. Stringent quarantine measures are imposed on those who test positive.
Sanchez took the opportunity during the news conference to passionately advocate for vaccination. While vaccination remains voluntary in Spain, the country boasts one of the highest vaccination rates in Europe.