# Tennis: World number one Novak Djokovic says he is heading to the Australian Open to defend his title after being granted a medical exemption to play. All participants at the Open, which starts on 17 January, need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 or have a medical exemption, assessed by an independent panel of experts. AFP reports the Serb has repeatedly refused to confirm if he has been inoculated, with his participation at the opening Grand Slam of the year at Melbourne Park the subject of intense speculation for months.