Chris O’Keefe has narrowed the list of reasons why Novak Djokovic could have been granted a medical exemption to play at the Australian Open. 

The World Number One is among a handful of the 26 players who sought an exemption from Victoria’s vaccination mandate to be given the green tick.

Djokovic will fly into a storm of Australians seething with anger over the decision.

Chris says he’s been told “on good authority” that Tennis Australia approached the nation’s medical body, ATAGI, for advice on ‘natural immunity’.

Specifically, whether natural immunity gained after recovering from a COVID-19 infection can work in place of two doses of a vaccine.

“ATAGI told Tennis Australia that past infection with COVID is not a valid reason against vaccination,” Chris said.

“Only in exceptional circumstances can an exemption be given if that person caught COVID in the last six months.

“Now, Djokovic caught COVID back in June 2020, 19 months ago; has he caught it again since?”

He listed the remaining official reasons someone could be granted an exemption to the mandate: inflammatory cardiac issue, recent or upcoming major surgery and a previous adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine.

“I reckon this is the more plausible explanation: the Victorian government and Tennis Australia are in cahoots to ensure he plays…”

Press PLAY below to hear Chris O’Keefe’s reasoning 

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