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Nationals backbencher Matt Canavan had a different view, saying Djokovic should be allowed in because he’s already had COVID-19.

“We should change the rules. Those rules are wrong. I’m not saying it should be a rule for Novak, it should be a rule for everybody. If you’ve had COVID and have natural immunity, you’re better off,” Senator Canavan told Nine’s Today Show.

But Victorian Australian Medical Association president Dr Roderick McRae did not agree.

“I understand he [Djokovic] had it [coronavirus] but, believe it or not, the immunity from the vaccination is better than the immunity from catching the disease,” Dr McRae said.

“I think there is an element of standards [here]. It’s important our leaders make these decisions in our interests and it [banning unvaccinated travellers] demonstrates to the community just how important we take this.”

Djokovic has already hinted the vaccination issue could be a deal-breaker for him playing in the Melbourne grand slam.

“Things being as they are, I still don’t know if I will go to Melbourne,” Djokovic told the online edition of Serbian daily Blic.

“I will not reveal my status whether I have been vaccinated or not, it is a private matter and an inappropriate inquiry.”

Britain’s Andy Murray has been among tennis players to voice concerns about the low uptake among his peers.

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Speaking in August, Murray said: “I feel like I’m enjoying a fairly normal life, whereas for the players that haven’t, it’s different. I’m sure they’ll be frustrated with that.

“Ultimately, I guess the reason why all of us are getting vaccinated is to look out for the wider public. We have a responsibility as players travelling across the world to look out for everyone else as well.

“I’m happy that I’m vaccinated. I’m hoping that more players choose to have it.”

At the U.S. Open, which ended September 12, spectators had to show proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to attend matches, although players weren’t required to get a shot.

Victoria Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open champion and three-time runner-up at the US Open, thought that sent a mixed message. She reached the US Open final in 2020, when there were no fans allowed.

“To me that’s a bit bizarre that fans have to be vaccinated and players are not,” Azarenka said. “So I think that in my opinion, it’s inevitable that it will be mandated at some point, like other leagues are doing.”

World No.3 Stefanos Tsitsipas virtually committed to January’s Australian Open last week, describing any potential limitations imposed on unvaccinated tennis stars, including quarantine, as fair.

After initially declining to reveal his COVID-19 vaccination status, the Greek star was asked last week about the looming vaccine mandate for athletes heading Down Under, and said: “I will play under the conditions that have been set now. I think it’s fair.”

With Telegraph, London; AP