Novak Djokovic "probably won't" play the Australian Open in January over mandatory COVID-19 vaccination rules, the world No 1's father said on Sunday.

The 34-year-old Djokovic, who would be bidding for a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne, has refused to say whether or not he has been vaccinated.

But Australian Open chief Craig Tiley has said that all players must be inoculated to take part.

"Of course he would want to go with all his heart," Djokovic's father, Srdjan, told Prda TV.

"Because he is a sportsman and there are a lot of our people, the (Serbian) diaspora, there who would be delighted to see Novak. But I don't know if it will happen. Probably not under these conditions, with this blackmail."

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