Novak Djokovic is not allowed to enter Australia, the authorities do not recognize the Serbian tennis player’s visa. The number 1 in the tennis world rankings was told that he would have to leave the country on Thursday. The Australian Border Force stated in a quatrain that “Mr Djokovic did not meet the entry requirements and his visa was then canceled”. Non-citizens who do not have a valid visa upon entry or whose visa has been canceled “will be detained and expelled from Australia,” the statement said. The allegedly unvaccinated Djokovic was previously allowed to participate in the Australian Open with a medical exemption. Details of how the approval was obtained were not disclosed.
Djokovic was detained at a Melbourne airport for several hours after arriving in Australia on Wednesday after Australian border protection authorities raised concerns about the entry visa. According to the media, the documents submitted by Djokovic did not provide for medical exemptions for unvaccinated people. The authorities of the Australian state of Victoria contacted therefore refused to support him.
Father Djokovic reacts indignantly
Novak Djokovic’s father was outraged by Australia’s decision to refuse entry to his son. “It’s shameful. Deportation,” Srdjan Djokovic told the Serbian newspaper Blic late on Wednesday evening. “I can’t talk to my son, they portray him as a criminal. I have no words for everything they did to him.” Even Serbia’s president personally stood up for him in the end. “I had a phone conversation with Novak and told him that all of Serbia was with him,” wrote Aleksandar Vucic on Instagram. “Our authorities will take all measures to stop the harassment of the best tennis player in the world in the shortest possible time.” This too: in vain.
Even before the 34-year-old arrived in Australia, a wave of indignation had built up in the host country of the first Grand Slam tournament of the season. The exception permit for Djokovic caused “anger and confusion”, as the broadcaster ABC called it. Other comments ranged from “slap in the face for all Australians” to “slap in the face for millions of Australians”. Tournament director Craig Tiley defended the controversial decision, but asked the 20-time Grand Slam winner to give his reasons.
The tournament starts on January 17th in Melbourne. Only players who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus or who have received a medical exemption are allowed to take part. On Tuesday, after weeks of silence and hesitation, Djokovic announced that he would now fly to Australia thanks to precisely such a special permit. He has not yet made his vaccination status public. It is possible that Djokovic has tested positive for Corona in the past six months and has therefore received an exemption. However, there is silence about the reasons.
Nine-time winner in Melbourne: Novak Djokovic
(Photo: Kelly Defina / Reuters)
Djokovic has already won the Australian Open nine times and wants to compete as the defending champion. If he won, he would leave his rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal behind with Grand Slam triumph number 21. Given the buzz surrounding Djokovic’s start, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called for sufficient evidence for the medical exception. “He has to do that because if he is not vaccinated, he must provide acceptable evidence that he cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons in order to have access to the same travel rules as fully vaccinated travelers,” said Morrison. Otherwise Djokovic will be “on the first plane home”. Interior Minister Karen Andrews also spoke plainly: “Every person who wants to enter Australia has to comply with our strict border regulations,” she stressed. The Victoria State Regional Government and Tennis Australia could allow an unvaccinated player to participate in the tournament, but the border rules would be monitored by the national government. And these rules are and were strict in times of pandemics.
Even before the rejection, there was harsh criticism
“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 Victoria celebrity doctor Stephen Parnis. The permit is “a terrifying message” to millions of Australians. “It is sad for the people of this country who have repeatedly been denied international and interstate travel during this pandemic, even to see their loved ones dying. For those who have been separated from their children or are unable to attend the funeral of a close friend or family member could participate, “wrote The Canberra Times and concluded: “Unfortunately the rules are different when you’re a global sports superstar.”
Tournament boss Tiley tried to dispel exactly these allegations. The permit was granted after a strict review by two independent expert bodies. Djokovic made a “completely legitimate application” and went through the necessary process. At the same time, however, Tiley asked Djokovic to reveal the reasons. “I would like him to speak to the community. I would appreciate getting answers,” Tiley said. 26 professionals or supervisors would have applied for an exemption, only a handful actually received it.