Novak Djokovic, 9-time Grand Slam Tennis winner and defending champion, was due to play at the Australian Open, the first major Tennis tournament of 2022. However, he's stuck at Australian Tullamarine Airport, for the city of Melbourne. The current news was his team had applied for the wrong visa to enter Australia with a COVID exemption. Latest news is he's been deported from Australia and will not play at all.
Australia has some of the toughest entry restrictions and had managed to keep the COVID death rates among the lowest in Western countries.
According to Australia Open officials, only 26 people connected with the tournament had applied for a medical exemption from the "you must be fully vaccinated" to even enter the grounds for the Australian Open. That includes players, staff, officials, AND fans. And only a "handful" medical exemptions were granted.
Every application for vaccine exemption will be examined by two independent panel of experts. Some of the reasons allowed includes major acute medical conditions that preclude being vaccinated, documented adverse reactions to prior dose of COVID vaccine, or documented COVID infection within last 6 months.
According to Australian Prime Minister Morrison, Australian Border force has the final decision on who to let through the borders. The Australian Open officials may allow Djokovic to play, and Victorian Government (who hosts the Australian Open) may allow him onto the grounds, that still depends on whether Djokovic will be allowed into the country. And looks like he's been denied. He was given a temporary reprieve, as a court will have to formally deport him, and that has been adjourned until Monday. He had been deported after a decision was made final.
In the meanwhile, he'd been dubbed #novaxdjokovic
Serbian President has vowed to protest the "harassment" of their star tennis player.
Supporters of the state did not like seeing ANY exemptions given out, as that screams of "special treatment", while supporters of Djokovic called the Border Force conduct "disgraceful" and worse.
So where's the disconnect?
Border Force explanation was that Djokovic's team applied for the wrong visa with the medical exemption he claimed. But that is sufficient reason to deport him? Or can the application be amended?
Did Djokovic get on the airplane with understanding that he'll be let in? Or did he just flew in, counting on public pressure to force the Aussies to give in?
And why doesn't Djokovic just explain why he needs a medical exemption? Does he even need one?
But it seems that the noose may be tightening, with both Spain and France announcing their any professional athletes or even the audience MUST be vaccinated against COVID to even attend, muchless participate, in April, and May later this year.
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