Djokovic leaves Australia: flashed and flown

For Australia’s prime minister, it was a verdict “in the public interest,” while Serbia speaks of a “witch hunt.” For tennis star Djokovic, the back and forth is now over – but diplomatically it will probably continue.

The legal and sporting tug of war over tennis star Novak Djokovic is over, politically probably not yet. After a federal court in Australia decided that Djokovic’s visa was rightly revoked, the Serb left the country. According to reporters, Djokovic boarded a plane to Dubai.

A few hours earlier, the court had dismissed the appeal of the Serb, who had not been vaccinated against Corona, to Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s refusal to enter the country. The three federal judges unanimously concluded that Hawke lawfully exercised his discretionary powers. The court intends to comment on the concrete justification in the next few days.

Lawyers: No danger after infection

Minister Hawke justified the cancellation of the visa with public interest and health protection. Djokovic poses a threat because his presence amid the worst coronavirus situation in Australia since the pandemic broke out would fuel anti-vaccination sentiment.

The tennis star’s lawyers, however, called the argument irrational. The unvaccinated Serbs pose no risk of infection due to the fact that they have recovered from Covid. Rather, the government is concerned with making Djokovic a scapegoat for all those who have not been vaccinated and setting an example.

“Time to enjoy the tennis summer again”

The Djokovic case had attracted a lot of international attention and also led to diplomatic upsets between Australia and Serbia. It is very unlikely that these have now been settled with the judgment.

Both sides commented on the decision very differently. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the decision was made for reasons of “health, safety and order” and “in the public interest”. Strong borders are fundamental to the Australian way of life – “as is the rule of law”. Now it’s time to “continue with the Australian Open and enjoy the summer of tennis again”.

Little understanding among Australians

Australia had been pursuing an extremely rigid corona policy for months and at times did not even allow its own citizens to enter the country. The vaccination rate in Australia is more than 90 percent, and many people are outraged about exceptions for the unvaccinated. For many Australians, the already low level of sympathy for the self-confessed opponent of vaccination Djokovic had plummeted from an already low level in the past few days.

The mood in Djokovic’s home country of Serbia is completely different. Here, the world number one is a kind of national hero for many people. And his stance on the subject of vaccination should also be met with comparatively great sympathy. Serbia is one of the countries with a low vaccination readiness.

Serbia questions the rule of law

The Serbian government called the verdict a scandal and questioned the judiciary in Australia in general. The court decision shows “how the rule of law works in some other countries, or rather, does not work,” said Prime Minister Ana Brnabic.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic accused the Australian authorities of wanting to “humiliate” Djokovic. They would only have humiliated themselves. A “witch hunt” against the tennis star had been sparked, and the media had created a “lynch mood”. “I spoke to Novak Djokovic earlier after the decision and I encouraged him,” said Vucic. “We look forward to him returning to his country, where he is always welcome.”

Djokovic remains at the top of the world rankings

Djokovic himself said he respected the decision but was “extremely disappointed”. He should have played his first match at the Australian Open on Monday night. Had he won the tournament in Melbourne, he would have set a new record.

Djokovic could then have celebrated his 21st Grand Slam title. This would have made him the sole record winner of the four most important tennis tournaments in the world. He currently shares this record with his rivals Rafael Nadal from Spain and Roger Federer from Switzerland – with 20 titles each.

Nothing will come of it now, Djokovic will be replaced at the Australian Open by the Italian Salvatore Caruso. The number 150 in the tennis world moves up as a so-called lucky loser and plays in the first round against the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic.

Djokovic will remain number one in the world tennis rankings. The Serb cannot currently be ousted from the top spot by any other player, as the world tennis association ITF announced.