Australia:
“The Age”: “Novak Djokovic would be well advised to skip his usual ‘heartbreaking’ celebration at the Rod Laver Arena. Judging by the ridicule of his medical exemption for the 10th Australian Open title in Melbourne, he is arguably about to become the least popular visitor to the country since Katie Hopkins was expelled last year for boasting about breaking hotel quarantine … a city that has survived six lockdowns and has been vaccinated twice As a condition of access to any common public space, it is unlikely to approve of tennis’ s leading vaccination skeptic being escorted through the VIP lane at Tullamarine Airport. “
“The West Australian”: “The Djoker has turned into the Joker and shamelessly assigned himself the role of villain before attempting to rule the tennis world.”
“The Canberra Times”: “Raise your hand if you were really surprised when Novak Djokovic received a medical exemption for the Australian Open. Horrified, maybe. Angry, yes. Frustrated, disappointed, disgusted, feeling like we all just got a massive slap in the face … 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 not at the funeral of a close one Unfortunately, the rules are different if you’re a global sports superstar, even if you’ve shown no respect for a virus that has infected nearly 300 million people around the world in the past two years. “
“The Herald Sun”: “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.”
Germany:
“Image”: “Suddenly everything is completely different! Novak Djokovic (34) is allowed to play in the Australian Open – and so can other unvaccinated players. So far, this tough rule has applied: only vaccinated professionals are allowed to compete in Melbourne.”
Great Britain:
“Daily Mail”: “After Australia harassed its citizens with relentless zeal in the fight against Corona, Novak Djokovic gave a man a public platform who seems to be working for the other side … you should be ashamed.”
“The Telegraph”: “Novak Djokovic’s exemption proves that Australia’s tough corona stance doesn’t apply to the rich and famous.”
Switzerland:
“Day indicator”: “Djokovic would have had it in his hand to prevent the controversy. With his refusal to be vaccinated, he is making the time of the pandemic even more difficult for the sport. … He has long since developed into a fighter who is becoming all the stronger, the greater the adversity he encounters. And is about to break the last records that do not yet belong to him. That he does so according to the motto of the Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli – the end justifies the means – does not have to be everyone find it good. “
Spain:
“Mark”: “In the end, economic and athletic interests – having the world’s best in Australia – took precedence over the health regulations that everyone must comply with under their country’s laws in the face of a pandemic the world has not seen in decades.”
“The world”: “Victoria state authorities, hesitant in principle to grant exemptions, backed Djokovic’s concession. All of this comes amid a wave of popular contagion that has put pressure on Melbourne hospitals.”
Source: Nachrichten
