Novak Djokovic has indeed stepped on Australian soil, much further than the “Park Hotel” (109 dollars per night) in Melbourne is the allegedly unvaccinated tennis world number one, who will start his 21st Grand Slam at the Australian Open on January 17th. Title wants to start, but not advanced. There the 34-year-old is waiting for the next court decision. In view of the threat of immediate deportation, his lawyers achieved partial success and obtained a right of residence until Monday. Djokovic has come to stay. But will he be allowed to do that too? The OÖN try to answer the most important questions in this political thriller.
Why was Djokovic held for hours at the airport in Melbourne and – isolated by his team – interrogated, despite the special permission of the organizers of the Australian Open?
The visa that Djokovic presented was incomplete. His medical exemption is said to have been confirmed by only one doctor. However, the regulations state that the applications must be checked twice. A total of 26 players and supervisors had applied for special permits from the tournament organizers, and a handful got the green light. Three professionals were waved through under similar conditions, their receipts were more detailed than those of Djokovic.
What is an exemption for?
1. If there has been a major surgery or a serious illness with a long hospital stay. 2. When the person has had a massive reaction to the first corona vaccination. 3. If there is evidence of heart disease in the past three months. 4. For a Covid disease proven by a PCR test result in the past six months.
How did Djokovic try to argue for his entry?
Many speculate with an infection in the past six months. In such a case, there is a margin of appreciation between the requirements of the national government, which is responsible for border protection, and those of the state of Victoria, which authorizes the exceptions. In a letter in early December, Australia’s health minister pointed out that two doses of vaccine are required to enter the country even after an infection. Djokovic could have gotten into the middle of a federal conflict.
How is the corona situation in Australia?
On the day of Djokovic’s entry, the country with 25 million inhabitants recorded a record 65,000 new corona infections for the third time in a row. Omikron overtaxes capacities, which leads to long queues in front of test centers. The government appears helpless and divided, and criticism of Prime Minister Scott Morrison is mounting. Inner Australian borders were closed again, and planned vacation trips had to be canceled. The special permit for Djokovic made correspondingly high waves in the country. “People whose loved ones are dying can’t even travel to other states. You tell people they can’t go to the supermarket or coffee shop unvaccinated. But number one, you get a passport?” Tweeted Australian football great Corey McKernan towards politics.
What consequences would a deportation have for Djokovic?
Then he could be banned from re-entering Australia and starting at the Open for up to three years. So said Mary Crooke, professor of public law at the University of Sydney. “Djokovic doesn’t have the right to appeal anything. He can’t say, ‘I’m the best tennis player, let me in. ??”
Reactions to the “Novak Djokovic case”
- “Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our limits. Nobody stands above these rules. “- Scott Morrison, Australia’s Prime Minister
- “A town that has survived six lockdowns and where double vaccination is a requirement for access to any public common space is unlikely to approve of tennis’ s leading vaccination skeptic being escorted through the VIP lane at Tullamarine Airport.” – The Age, Australian newspaper
- “The whole of Serbia is behind Novak Djokovic. Our authorities will take all measures to end the harassment of the best tennis player in the world in the shortest possible time. ”- Aleksandar Vucic, Serbia’s President
- “This is the biggest sports scandal of all time.” Kurir, Serbian tabloid
- “You’re trying to crucify him. My son is in captivity in Australia, but he has never been more free. From that moment on Novak has become the symbol and leader of the free world, the world of disadvantaged peoples. ”- Srdjan Djokovic, Novaks Vater
- “Of course I don’t like this situation. In a way, I feel sorry for him. But at the same time he has known the conditions for many months and makes his decisions. I had Covid, I have been vaccinated twice. If you do, you will have no problem playing here and anywhere in the world. The people of Australia have gone through tough times because of the pandemic. So I can understand your displeasure with the exception for Djokovic. “- Rafael Nadal, 20-time Grand Slam winner
- “Djokovic made a perfectly legitimate motion that gave him no preferential treatment. However, it would certainly be useful if Novak explained the reasons on which he applied for and received the medical exemption. “- Craig Tiley, Tournament Director of the Australian Open
- “We will not give Djokovic any help to get a visa. We were always clear on two points: Visa approvals are a matter for the national government, medical exemptions are a matter for doctors. ” Jaala Pulford, Victoria Secretary of Sport
Source: Nachrichten
