Novak Djokovic likely out of Australian Open after wild attempt to enter country
Novak Djokovic is likely out of Australian Open after a wild attempt to enter country.
Novak Djokovic will not be defending his title at the 2022 Australian Open after being denied entry into the country, with the Aussie PM and Serbian president both getting involved in the debacle.
Djokovic’s stance on vaccines continues to cause controversy, which became exacerbated when the Australian Open granted the world No. 1 a medical exemption from the country-wide vaccine mandate. Several critics were already calling favoritism for the 20-time grand slam champion.
Indian Jr. Aman Dahiya had to withdraw from Junior Australian Open cause he was denied exemption. He was not vaccinated cause India hadn't started vaccination for kids below 18yrs https://t.co/ejdhNdikNg
— Indian Tennis Daily (ITD) (@IndTennisDaily) January 4, 2022
Djokovic had caught COVID-19 in the summer of 2020 after he had organized a tennis event in Croatia and went partying with the players without COVID protocols and in close proximity. Many had guessed that this diagnosis was the natural immunity that fell inside the “medical exemption” loophole described by the guidelines of the Australian Open.
However, it all came to a head on Wednesday in dramatic fashion, with Novak Djokovic’s plane hovering in the air at one point, not being given permission to land. Things just went from bad to worse there. Once he touched down at Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport, the international political maelstrom spiraled downhill with a visa blunder over whether it allowed for medical exemptions from the vaccine mandate.
The drama only grew in intensity as the athlete was held in a room at the airport under armed guard and with no access to his cell phone. He was awaiting permission on Thursday from the head of the Australian federal government. At this point, the Serbian president had also intervened on Djokovic’s behalf, including summoning the Australian ambassador in Belgrade.
“I’ve just finished my telephone conversation with Novak Djokovic,” Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic posted on social media, according to Reuters. “I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him and that our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world’s best tennis player is brought to an end immediately.
“In line with all norms of international law, Serbia will fight for Novak, truth and justice. Novak is strong, as we all know.”
On Thursday, however, Australian PM Scott Morrison canceled Djokovic’s visa, ending hopes that the 34-year-old will defend the title he won last year.
Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) January 5, 2022
The Australian Open begins Jan. 17, 2022.