Australian Open 2022: I believe in getting vaccinated, says Victoria Azarenka

Victoria Azarenka wants a «black-and-white» approach to Covid vaccinations at Grand Slams to stop more cases unfolding like the ones in Australia.

Novak Djokovic and Renata Voracova, who have not been vaccinated, were deported after having their visas revoked before the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Azarenka, who is on the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Player Council, said: «This could have been prevented.

»I don't believe that this just came out of nowhere."

The two-time Australian Open champion added: «This could have been addressed way earlier than it was. What happened after, I don't believe there was anybody who looked good in any case.

»I think as soon as there is a grey area in the rules, that gives a bit too much questions, and situations like this happen."

Djokovic's expulsion has raised questions over whether he will be able to play in the other Grand Slams this year, with the French sports ministry saying there will be no exemption from the country's new vaccine pass law.

Azarenka says the situation regarding Djokovic became «a bit of a circus» as she reiterated her stance on vaccines.

«I believe in science, in getting vaccinated. That's what I did,» she said.

«I don't want to push my beliefs on everybody else. However, we are playing a global sport and are traveling around the world.

»As an entity, as an association of the WTA that is traveling globally, we still have to respect countries, different countries, different mandates, different legalities of the country."

The 32-year-old contracted Covid last year, as did her father and the Belarusian was grateful he had been vaccinated.

«For me, there is a social responsibility for other people who are much more vulnerable maybe than us. I definitely look at it from