Sydney: Nata Russian Vikhlyantseva has revealed that he will not be able to travel to Australia and try to play in the first Grand Slam next season because the Covid-19 vaccine is not recognized by the local health authority.
All players must have a double dose of the approved vaccine, or medical exception, to participate in the Australian Open, which takes place from January 17-30.
Sputnik V Russia is not in the list of vaccines currently approved by the Australian Government, leaving former world number 54 Vikhlyantseva not qualifying to play in Melbourne Park.
“Unfortunately, I will not participate this year (Australia Open),” said 24 years in a post on Twitter.
“I’m really happy with the tennis level that I showed on the last few shows and I want to play in (Australia) but Sputnik has not been verified.” Currently in the 194th place in the world, Vikhlyantseva must pass the qualification at Melbourne Park or awarded the Wildcard to make it a major single draw.
Last year, Vikhlyantseva lost to fellow Seneggritrot Valeria Savinykh in the first round of the Australian open qualifying, which was transferred to Dubai because of the Covid-19 pandemic.