Australian Open
“The duty to boo on him” – Australia rages over an exemption for allegedly unvaccinated Djokovic
Although he is apparently not vaccinated, world number one Novak Djokovic is allowed to participate in the Australian Open with a special permit
© Paul Crock / AFP
All against one: The whole of Australia, it seems, is outraged by the exemption that the country is making for Novak Djokovic. The tennis star is allowed to enter the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne, although he is allegedly unvaccinated.
The announcement by tennis world number one Novak Djokovic that he would compete in the Australian Open with the aid of a special permit was received with anger and outrage in Australia. In the media and social networks, many people vented their anger about the decision in favor of the 20-time Grand Slam tournament winner – who is now apparently allowed into the country without the actually required vaccination against the corona virus. One user called Djokovic’s participation a “slap in the face for all Australians” and spoke to many Australians from the soul. The broadcaster “ABC” spoke of “anger and confusion” in the whole country.
“I don’t care how good he is as a tennis player. If he refuses to be vaccinated, he shouldn’t be let in,” said prominent Victoria doctor Stephen Parnis. The exemption for the Serbian tennis star is “a terrifying message” to millions of Australians.
“Djokovic is not indispensable”
Melbourne sports reporter Andy Maher said that even numerous Australians had been denied permission to enter their home country for two years, “but this guy – who has taken extraordinary liberties in the face of the coronavirus – gets his exception.” Djokovic is a great athlete, “but he is not indispensable”. Journalist Samantha Lewis tweeted that it was “the patriotic duty” of all viewers to boo Djokovic during his entire stay.
Djokovic wrote on Instagram on Tuesday that he was about to travel to Australia with a special permit. With that, he ended months of speculation about his participation almost two weeks before the first Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season started. The Australian Open in Melbourne starts on January 17th. Only players who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus or who have received a medical exemption are allowed to take part.
The nine-time Melbourne winner Djokovic had always left his vaccination status open. The organizers of the tournament announced that the medical exemption had been granted after a strict review, in which two independent expert panels were involved. Djokovic made a “completely legitimate application” and went through the necessary process, tournament director Craig Tiley defended the decision.
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Bad comments in the Australian press
The Australian press is also harshly judging the extra sausage for Djokovic. For example, The Herald Sun writes: “The medical exemption for Novak Djokovic to play the Australian Open is a sick hypocrisy. His participation is an insult to any Australian who has gone through hell because of Covid.” And “The West Australian” commented: “The Djoker has turned into the Joker and shamelessly assigned himself the role of villain before starting his attempt to rule the tennis world.”
Djokovic wants to overtake Nadal and Federer
World number one Djokovic has a big goal for 2022: With the next and a total of 21st Grand Slam title, he wants to outstrip his great rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and become the sole record Grand Slam tournament winner. This is his dearest wish after the dream of the Grand Slam, i.e. triumph in all four Grand Slam tournaments in one calendar year, at the US Open in 2021.