Australian Open's Vaccine Requirements Enhance Djokovic's 11th Title Prospects

As the Australian Open 2026 kicks off at Melbourne Park on January 18, 2026, tennis fans and travelers can expect a return to everyday experiences, with no vaccination requirements for players, staff, or spectators.

As of January 6, 2026, this marks a significant shift from the 2022 tournament, which saw unvaccinated tennis player Novak Djokovic, one of the best, detained upon arrival and ultimately deported after his visa was canceled twice.

In 2022, Tennis Australia and the Victorian government required complete vaccination for all participants, allowing only limited medical exemptions for tennis players.

Djokovic had received an exemption based on a recent COVID-19 infection, but upon arriving in Melbourne, federal border enforcement deemed his documentation insufficient. After legal battles, he was deported on public health grounds, missing the event he had dominated with 10 titles.

Australia ended its vaccine requirements for international travelers in 2022, allowing Djokovic to return in 2023, where he claimed his 10th title.

As Djokovic seeks to win an 11th Melbourne crown—potentially his 25th Grand Slam overall—the 2026 event highlights how far tennis has come from the disruptions of 2022.

For the 2026 tournament, entry lists and official guidelines confirm that there will be no vaccination or testing mandates.

This is positive news for travelers as the Australian Open 2025 set an attendance record with about 1.2 million tennis fans visiting Melbourne Park.

Travelers are advised to consult official sources, such as the Australian Open website or government travel advisories, for the latest visa and health information.

For health-conscious tennis fans, the priority now is sun protection and hydration amid Melbourne's summer heat, rather than proof of vaccination.

The U.S. CDC currently recommends various routine and travel vaccinations before visiting Australia in 2026. These vaccines include measles and Japanese encephalitis when visiting the Murray River and the Outer Torres Strait Islands area.

As the world tennis season progresses in 2026, vaccination recommendations could be issued for those visiting France (chikungunya) or Miami, Florida (dengue)