Novak Djokovic
Game, set and match Australia
Out before the first round: Novak Djokovic has to leave Australia.
© Marco Bertorello / AFP
Novak Djokovic has to leave Australia and misses the first Grand Slam tournament of the year. It is the end of a week-and-a-half tragedy about a world star who considers himself more important than a pandemic.
Well, after all: after a day-long debate about his Australian visa, Novak Djokovic is not allowed to take part in the Australian Open and has to leave the country. The 34-year-old missed his chance for the tenth title Down Under and the 21st Grand Slam title of his career. It’s the sad end of a tennis superstar who not only exhausted all legal remedies, but also forfeited his reputation and popularity in the process.
The world number one and his lawyers tried too hard to enforce the residence permit in Australia with tricks. Unresolved questions about the PCR test in December, incorrect information on the visa and questionable travel in the run-up to the tournament – Djokovic and his team did everything to appear as implausible as possible. However, the loss of image is likely to be much more painful than the end in Australia. The 34-year-old wanted to take part in the tournament out of sheer selfishness. One looks in vain for any form of social responsibility. The Serb’s arrogant behavior has not only upset many supporters in Australia. But sponsors should also have observed the last week and a half very closely. Is it possible to continue to work with a man who, to put it mildly, has passed the corona pandemic on his ass? This question will probably also be asked by sponsors such as Lacoste, Asics and Peugeot in the next few days.
Novak Djokovic’s expulsion is correct
Without question: Djokovic’s expulsion is completely correct and understandable. With the decision, Australia is demonstrating that with its tough entry rights – not only during the pandemic – it is not afraid to apply it to prominent cases. There was too much at stake for Scott Morrison’s government to simply issue a clean bill of health to Djokovic. For two years, many Australians suffered from ever longer lockdowns, during which time they did not see their families or were not allowed to enter the country at all. The decision against Djokovic was a decision for all Australians – also to avert a political disaster in their own country.
There are many sports fans who argue that sports and politics have nothing to do with each other. The case of Novak Djokovic could not have been more political. Of course, a celebrity from another industry could have been denied entry, but Djokovic was the first to have this happen publicly during the pandemic and so the athlete became a political pawn.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke had the match ball in his hand since Friday, when he withdrew Djokovic’s visa again – even if Hawke acted in an unsportsmanlike manner and delayed his decision longer and longer. With the verdict of the court, effectively the video evidence of politics, the match point was turned. Australia doesn’t let itself be played with: That’s also a message that will go out into the world. However, with whom or against whom Novak Djokovic will play in the future, it is more unclear than ever.