Health Undersecretary Andrea Costa said Friday that he was against the idea of allowing tennis great Novak Djokovic to take part in the Italian Open in May despite his refusal to have a COVID-19 jab, after his government colleague Valentina Vezzali, the undersecretary with the sport portfolio, had suggested this was a possibility.
The Serbian world number one was unable to defend his Australian Open title in January because he is unvaccinated for the coronavirus and he has said he is willing to miss other tournaments if there is an obligation to be jabbed up.
Vezzali said this week that he would be able to play at the Italian Open in Rome as Italy does not require the Super Green Pass, which shows a person is vaccinated for COVID-19 or has recovered from it, for open-air sports like tennis.
She added that Djokovic would have avoid staying in a hotel or going to restaurants while in Italy.
"I'm not convinced by the reasons Undersecretary Vezzali gave when she said Djokovic will be able to take part in the Italian Open in Rome," Costa told Radio 24.
"There are rules that must be respected while they are in place.
"I think we must all be equal before the rules.
"Those who have a big following, who can help us with this effort, have even more reason to give a good example.
"So I am against the presence of Djokovic at the Italian Open in Rome".
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