MELBOURNE (Reuters] -Novak Djokovic ended all speculation about his Australian Open title defense on Tuesday by announcing that he would play at the season’s opening Grand Slam after receiving a medical exemption for getting vaccinated to COVID-19.

He had previously stated that the world number one was not vaccinated and that it was unclear if he would be competing at the January 17-30 tournament in Melbourne because of concerns about Australia’s quarantine regulations.

“I have spent wonderful quality time over break with my family and friends, so today I am heading down under with exemption permission. The Serbian shared the following Instagram message: Let’s go to 2022

Tennis Australia (TA), the organizers of the Grand Slam, had specified that participants must either be vaccinated for the new coronavirus or receive a medical exemption from an independent panel.

It would include general practitioners, doctors with specialties in immunology, infectious diseases and general medicine. This move was done in collaboration with the Victoria Department of Health.

TA reported that Djokovic, 34 years old had requested a medical exemption. This was after a rigorous review by two independent medical panels.

“One of these was the Independent Medical Exemption Review Panel that the Victorian Department of Health appointed,” TA explained in a statement.

They assessed each application to determine if it met Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ATAGI) guidelines.

To ensure the applicant’s privacy, the Redaction of Personal Information was also added.

The Victorian government has confirmed that the exemption was granted, and told the Herald Sun that players who were given one must go through two stages to ensure that they meet the requirements for exemption.

“I am ready to live and breath tennis during the next few weeks.” Djokovic thanked everyone for their support in his post. He also included a photo of himself at an airport.

Craig Tiley, Australian Open Tournament Director, said in the TA Statement that there were “fair and independent protocols” for assessing exemptions to medical applications. This was done to ensure safety at the Australian Open.

Tiley stated that “central to the process was that decisions were made independently by medical experts, and that each applicant was given equal consideration.”

Jamie Murray, a British doubles player, questioned Murray’s exemption. He said that Djokovic would not allow him to receive one.

After the doubles against Canada at the ATP Cup, he stated that he thought that if I wasn’t vaccinated, I wouldn’t get an exemption.

“You have to be able to trust that the doctor has valid reasons for the exemption.”

Djokovic will be heading to Australia after having spent the past few days training in Marbella (Spain)

Djokovic is tied for 20th in all-time rankings with Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and has won nine Australian Open titles.