The announcement by tennis world number one Novak Djokovic that he would compete in the Australian Open with the aid of a special permit was received with anger and outrage in Australia. However, this plan is not going smoothly: On Wednesday, the probably unvaccinated top star from Serbia had problems entering Melbourne. On arrival at the airport of the metropolis it was found that his visa is not valid, reported Australian media.
No support for entry from Australia
Accordingly, with the documents submitted by Djokovic, entry for unvaccinated persons is not possible. Apparently the Serb’s team applied for the wrong visa. The then contacted authorities of the Australian state of Victoria refused to support the world number one. No help will be given to Djokovic to obtain a visa to participate in the Australian Open, Victoria Sports Minister Jaala Pulford tweeted. “We were always clear on two points: Visa approvals are a matter for the national government, medical exemptions are a matter for doctors,” wrote the politician.
Unclear whether entry will be approved
Djokovic landed in Melbourne on a plane from Dubai shortly before midnight (local time). His father Srdjan told the Serbian media that his son had to wait alone in a guarded room at the airport for the decision whether he could enter or not. However, it is not clear whether the Australian government will give the green light.
Excitement over suspected exemption
The nine-time Melbourne winner Djokovic had always left his vaccination status open. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had previously requested sufficient evidence for the exemption of the 20-time Grand Slam winner. Otherwise the 34-year-old would be “on the first plane home”, warned Morrison and added: “There should be no special rules for Novak Djokovic, absolutely none.”
Before that, there had been a lot of criticism in the media and social networks of the decision that Djokovic was apparently allowed into the country without the actually required vaccination against the corona virus. One user called Djokovic’s participation a “slap in the face for all Australians” and spoke to many Australians from the soul. The broadcaster “ABC” spoke of “anger and confusion” across the country.
“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 prominent doctor Stephen Parnis. The exemption for the Serbian tennis star is “a terrifying message” to millions of Australians.
Melbourne sports reporter Andy Maher said that even numerous Australians had been denied permission to enter their home country for two years, “but this guy – who has taken extraordinary liberties in the face of the coronavirus – gets his exception.” Djokovic is a great athlete, “but he is not indispensable”. Journalist Samantha Lewis tweeted that it was “the patriotic duty” of all viewers to boo Djokovic throughout his stay.
Post on Instagram sparked outrage
Djokovic wrote on Instagram on Tuesday that he was about to travel to Australia with a special permit. With this, he ended the months of speculation about his participation almost two weeks before the start of the first Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season. The Australian Open in Melbourne starts on January 17th. Only players who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus or who have received a medical exemption are allowed to take part.
The nine-time Melbourne winner Djokovic had always left his vaccination status open. The organizers of the tournament announced that the medical exemption had been granted after a strict review, in which two independent expert panels were involved. Djokovic made a “completely legitimate application” and went through the necessary process, tournament director Craig Tiley defended the decision. “Anyone who met the conditions received an entry permit from the authorities. Nobody was given preference,” said Tiley.
According to Tennis Australia and the Victoria State Government, 26 people have applied for a waiver and Djokovic is one of a handful of successful applicants. There was no preference for Djokovic in the anonymous application process.
Tiley hopes the tennis star will take a stand and clear up his situation. “It would certainly be useful if Novak explained the reasons why he applied for and received the medical exemption,” said the tournament director. “I would like him to speak to the community. We have had a very difficult period in the last two years and I would appreciate the answers.”
Source: Nachrichten
