The Australian Open is running, Novak Djokovic is not there. The visa affair about what is probably the best tennis player in the world has only produced losers – including Djokovic himself. An overview of international press reviews.
No matter how one judges the behavior of those involved in the visa affair surrounding Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic, commentators in the international press are almost unanimous on one point: there were only losers. It is said that the currently best tennis player in the world has to cope with the greatest damage himself. The damage to the image can hardly be corrected. Djokovic has a big part in that.
“La Republica” (Italy): “So ends the telenovela between the Serbian tennis champion and the Australian government. The appeal has upheld the government, which considers him a public danger because of his anti-vaccination positions, a risk to the general public.”
“Die Presse” (Austria): “He leaves Down Under with a loss of image that can never be corrected and without a trophy. The bizarrely embarrassing entry farce would provide enough material for a Hollywood screenplay. And Novak Djokovic shines, once again, in his prime role as the villain. In addition to his flawless appearance Constant rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal – with whom the man from Belgrade shares the record of 20 Grand Slam titles – Djokovic has always played the rebellious villain, Certainly the media wanted to portray him as such, because three superheroes are one too many Of course, the 34-year-old himself contributed the most to his public image. (…) During the corona pandemic, Djokovic finally became the best cast of the villain.”
“Kronen Zeitung” (Austria): “Djokovic has been through a nerve-wracking dispute over entry rules that overshadowed the real reason for his trip to Australia – namely to defend his title at the Australian Open tournament and to set a new record with the 21st Grand Slam title ever. The affair about his supposed special treatment not only damaged the image of the tennis player but also the Australian government.”
“Courier” (Austria): “Entering many countries will be difficult or impossible for the unvaccinated. According to the current status, Novak Djokovic could play in Paris at the end of May. However, it is quite possible that the government in France will also gradually take stricter action against the unvaccinated. Should Djokovic also win his title from July If you want to defend at Wimbledon, this is only possible with a mandatory, ten-day self-monitored home quarantine.”
Novak Djokovic ‘wanted to play by his own rules’
“La Vanguardia” (Spain): “The Serbian tennis player wanted to play by his own rules and lost. The strength of a sovereign government, Australia’s, ultimately prevailed against a sports myth and media power that Novak Djokovic, the current number one in the tennis world After an almost two-week soap opera, which was about much more than a tennis tournament, the athlete was finally deported yesterday (…) The case also has a domestic political aspect: elections are taking place in Australia in May, and the Citizens weary of the severe restrictions imposed by Scott Morrison’s government – Melbourne has been in lockdown for more than 260 days – simply could not understand why special treatment should be given to an unvaccinated person who had lied to immigration officials should be used to enter the country. The rules apply to everyone.”
“Neue Zürcher Zeitung” (Switzerland): “It was the ridiculous end of an unworthy affair that mainly produced losers. The first loser is, of course, Djokovic, who got carried away with the idea of participating in the Australian Open as an unvaccinated person. The Australian government is also the loser, with the absurd argument , the world’s best tennis player is a danger to the country, has overridden the separation of powers and disregarded a first judge’s decision.
But the organizers of the Australian Open are also losers, who lured Djokovic into the country with an exceptional permit that later proved to be worthless and the actual origin of the posse. (…) The question remains unanswered to this day as to who and based on which facts Novak Djokovic had promised a special permit to enter Australia as an unvaccinated person. The world number one had relied on this and had therefore become a pawn in the political populism of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government. Djokovic is not to blame for the escalation. But even more than a perpetrator, he is a victim.”
Tennis star has “lost the ground under his feet”
“Tages-Anzeiger” (Switzerland): “For Djokovic, being expelled from the country in which he has triumphed nine times is a reminder; one that should bring him back to earth from his (in his own words) high spiritual spheres. He would have to realize that he was on the bottom lost his feet. The humiliating and unique episode could mean a turning point for his career. More and more tournaments, like Indian Wells and Miami in March, are only open to the vaccinated. Djokovic will now do everything he can to win more Grand Slam tournaments than his competitors Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (all of them currently have 20 titles). He should be able to compete at the next major of the year, the French Open in May: Unvaccinated people can also enter France under certain conditions. The Serb will probably hardly get through to vaccination. The price he has to pay for it is high. But pity is not appropriate.”
“View” (Switzerland): “In the posse surrounding rival Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal is one of the winners. The Mallorcan can now attack the Grand Slam record. But he is coming from a difficult phase.”
“L’Equipe” (France): “After the disgrace of Melbourne, Novak Djokovic’s annoyance is not over. He now has to ‘digest’ it and watch the competition rise in an unusual way.”
“The Guardian” (UK): “It’s been a miserable week for the government, but the result shows once again that Australia’s immigration laws are as tough as they are enforced.”
“A drama that everyone would have liked to have spared themselves”
“Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” (Germany): What the world public (…) entertained for eleven days was a drama that everyone would have liked to have spared themselves. Who is to blame? First of all, the Australian politicians, authorities and institutions, who designed their immigration policy so badly that they themselves did not know which rules apply to whom and when. (…) The Serb is not a victim at all. (…)
As an observer of the affair, one is appalled at how poorly advised a sports multi-millionaire can be: a family that antagonizes everyone with its drooling comments instead of trying to solicit sympathy. An athlete who accuses his “agent” of incorrectly filling out the visa form for which he is liable. A world star who gets himself into trouble because he blows out the stupidest comments on social networks. Who doesn’t care if he infects others. And then has the chutzpah to call out to a people whose hospitality he asked for in their dark hour that mistakes happen when there is a mood of crisis. Djokovic will suffer from his performance in Melbourne for a long time and in many places around the world.”
“Süddeutsche Zeitung” (Germany): “What is certain is that his legacy will forever carry the episode of these days like a brand. His uncompromising stubbornness in believing in himself and his abilities has promoted Djokovic to the top. The fateful thing is that this stubbornness is now giving him access to the Australian Open – and a lot of sympathy, worldwide.