Novak Djokovic faces a hostile reception from the public and his fellow players after finally revealing that he will defend his Australian Open title this month.

The world No 1’s successful request for a rare exemption from vaccine requirements is likely to go down like a lead tennis ball in Melbourne. It was already late in the Australian evening when Djokovic released a picture of himself set to board a plane, but the reaction was swift.

Jamie Murray suggested that it was another example of tennis favouring its star players.

‘If it was me that wasn’t vaccinated I wouldn’t be getting an exemption,’ he said. ‘But well done to him for getting clear to come to Australia and compete.’ 

Alex de Minaur, one of the host nation’s leading stars, did little to hide his scepticism, commenting: ‘I just think it’s very interesting. That’s all I’m going to say.’

Separate sources said early reactions from within the locker room were similar, especially among some Eastern Europeans who have only reluctantly agreed to have themselves jabbed.

Tennis Australia has been keen to distance itself from the whole process of who will be allowed in to the event, which is marketing itself as somewhere fans and workers — all of whom must be vaccinated to attend — can visit in the knowledge that safety is paramount.

Djokovic’s vaccine scepticism is well documented, and he has managed to persuade two different panels that he needs an exemption from being jabbed. The tournament confirmed later that the nine-time champion, who is tied with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on 20 Grand Slam titles, was officially granted a medical exemption.

It is unlikely to play well in a city which late last year became the place to have been locked down longer than anywhere else in the world.

What’s more, Melbourne is facing a huge spike in Covid cases. In the first three days of 2022 it recorded a higher number than in all of 2020 put together. Melburnians may well ask, when they have to show proof of vaccination to sit in a cafe or go to work, why one of the world’s greatest athletes is so medically compromised he can claim an exemption.

Sportsmail understands Djokovic’s application was backed by supporting letters from doctors in Serbia.

‘I’ve spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I’m heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let’s go 2022!’ said a beaming Djokovic on Instagram, posing in front of what looked like an airfield with private jets parked up.

After a sluggish initial take-up, figures from the ATP and WTA tours suggest around 90 per cent of tennis players are now fully vaccinated. 

Djokovic has had the most focus upon him but a handful of others have also made it to Australia with an exemption, while two-time quarter-finalist Tennys Sandgren was confirmed on Tuesday as someone who had simply refused to travel.

Tennis Australia supremo Craig Tiley insisted the process was independently managed and that the experts were unaware of the identities of those applying, but the optics surrounding Djokovic’s admission are likely to be a PR disaster — not just for him but the tournament as well. 

It already has a goodwill deficit from last year with locals, many of whom are resentful at what they saw as special treatment for players.

Although tennis crowds are not known for their hostility, the reception Djokovic receives could have fascinating repercussions. He is a granite-hard competitor but can be vulnerable to stadiums taking against him. 

He almost sobbed with gratitude at the way Flushing Meadows generously treated him while he was losing September’s US Open final.

In terms of his peers, tennis players are always sensitive about others getting what might be perceived as an edge. While Djokovic is now free to compete in Melbourne, this is unlikely to be the end of the matter.

Other large tournaments, such as those in the United States and France, are set to bring in vaccine mandates this year. It is hard to imagine Wimbleton acting any differently if it becomes the norm.