The French government has voted to ban unvaccinated spectators and professionals from sports arenas, as well as other venues including restaurants. It means the world No 1 could be banned from the French Open this spring, having already been booted out of the Australian Open.
Djokovic lost his chance of winning a record 10th Australian Open title and historic 21st Major in Melbourne after losing an appeal hearing to overturn his visa cancellation.
It meant that the nine-time champion Down Under was deported on the eve of the tournament, and unable to defend his crown.
His father, Srdjan Djokovic, has since hinted that his son is already focusing on the next opportunity to surpass his rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal – with whom he currently shares the record of 20 Grand Slam titles – at the French Open.
"The attempt to assassinate the best athlete in the world has ended. 50 bullets in Novak's chest. See you in Paris,” his outspoken father said after the Australian Federal Court upheld the Immigration Minister’s decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa.
But it now seems that the world No 1 could run into trouble once again when attempting to defend his French Open title later this year.
Newly-introduced Covid Pass rules now ban any unvaccinated individual – both French citizens and foreign nationals – from public buildings including sports arenas and stadiums, theatres and restaurants.
French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu has since confirmed that “French or foreign professionals” are also subject to this rule.
Meanwhile, Stanislas Guerin, who represents the 17th and 18th arrondissements in Paris, confirmed that Djokovic would not receive any special treatment to compete at Roland Garros this spring if he is still unvaccinated.
“Djokovic's behaviour was irresponsible,” he said, commenting on the 34-year-old’s attempt to enter Australia unvaccinated, with a medical exemption granted by Tennis Australia.
“Australia is a sovereign country which makes it rules and the rules should be respected.
“We can't have two weights and two measures regarding the Covid Pass. If you are called Djoko, Nadal or Mr Whoever, you respect the rules.
“All the big events which will take place in France will adopt the Covid Pass. Who would understand if we asked our citizens to make an effort and respect the rules and we then authorised some to get out of them?”
Djokovic is also expected to face difficulties competing in the next two big events in the calendar – the Masters 1000s in Indian Wells and Miami, with players also required to be fully vaccinated to enter the United States and compete.
But the world No 1 is yet to address his future plans, and is not expected to speak until after the Australian Open has concluded.
He released a statement on Sunday shortly after losing his appeal, saying: “I'd like to make a brief statement to address the outcomes of today’s Court hearing.
"I will now be taking some time to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this. I am extremely disappointed with the Court ruling to dismiss my application for judicial review of the Minister’s decision to cancel my visa, which means I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open.
"I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country.”