Novak Djokovic is not being “blackmailed” by Australian Open organisers, a senior official said on Wednesday, insisting a requirement for players to be vaccinated was about safety. 

The World No. 1 would be bidding for a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne in January, but he has refused to say if he has been jabbed against COVID-19. His father Srdjan told Serbian television on Sunday his son “probably won’t” play the opening Grand Slam of the year over the mandatory inoculation rules.