There’s still no word on whether or not Novak Djokovic will be able to play for a 10th Australian Open title after the country refused him entry and canceled his visa because he didn’t meet the COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
Djokovic Tweeted on Tuesday that he had been granted a medical exemption from the Virginia state government’s vaccination requirements. However, the Australian border police said that Djokovic didn’t meet the entry requirements and that they didn’t accept the exemption. Djokovic was told that he could appeal the decision but that having his visa revoked would still mean he will likely need to leave the country, even during the appeal.
The Serbian president expressed dissatisfaction about how the star was treated when he was detained overnight at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport.
As for Djokovic, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that he didn’t think he was being singled out. He said that other players may be in Australia on the same kind of medical exemption. Djokovic was supposed to be able to play in the Australian Open even if he hadn’t been vaccinated. The medical exemptions, which were checked by two separate groups of experts and based on information anonymously given by players and taken at face value, were meant to let him do that.
His father, Srdjan Djokovic, commented that his son was detained at the airport and that nobody was permitted to enter his room which was being watched by two police officers.
Djokovic’s announcement on social media that he was going to Australia to try to win a record 21st major title quickly became a hot political topic. Many Australians who have had trouble getting limited and expensive rapid antigen tests, or who have been forced to stay inside, thought Djokovic was getting an unfair break.
When Prime Minister Morrison said that if the evidence to support Novak Djokovic’s exemption application was not enough, ” then he won’t be treated any different to anyone else, and he’ll be on the next plane home”, concerns about Djokovic’s ability to play in the Australian Open were increased.
