Top doubles player Pierre-Hugues Herbert pulls out of Australian Open

MELBOURNE: Former Australian Open doubles champion and winner of five men's doubles titles at majors, Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert, has revealed that he will not compete in the opening Grand Slam of 2022 as he is "not vaccinated".

The Australian Open begins on January 17.

The Australian Open director Craig Tiley had recently stated that only fully-vaccinated players will be allowed to compete in the tournament, adding that no exceptions will be made.

The 30-year-old Herbert, who won the Australian Open men's doubles title in 2019 partnering Nicolas Mahut, is ranked No. 8 on the ATP, while his singles ranking is 110.

"Personally, I am not vaccinated and the trip to Australia was not an option for me," Herbert was quoted as saying by French outlet L'Alsace and reported by 7news.com.au on Saturday.

"I do what I can. But because of my singles ranking, it may have been a bad thing (to go to Australia) for a good start," said Herbert, who dropped out of the top-100 in singles ranking recently.

"Yes, for my part, it is a personal choice not to be vaccinated. I don't know how long it will last, I don't know if it's feasible today to be a tennis player without being vaccinated. There is not only Australia. Today, there are the United States, Austria... it is a rather complex topic," added Herbert.

The Frenchmen was in contention for clinching the doubles title in Melbourne Park as he has won at Roland Garros this year, which took his grand slam titles to five.

Herbert's partner Mahut too is reportedly unsure about his Australian Open participation as he has received only one shot of the Covid-19 vaccine.IANS

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