Tennis-Australian Open director expects up to 95% of players to be vaccinated by January

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Australian Open - Men's Singles Photo Shoot - Brighton Beach, Melbourne, Australia, February 22, 2021 Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia talks to the media during a photo shoot at Brighton Beach REUTERS/Loren Elliott

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley expects up to 95% of professional players will be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the time of the Grand Slam in January but is unsure whether Novak Djokovic will be among them.

Tiley said Victoria state's strict vaccination mandate had motivated players to get their shots before Melbourne Park, where fans and staff will also be banned if unvaccinated.