World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic was denied entry to Australia on Thursday amid protests over a decision to grant medical exemptions from COVID-19 vaccination requirements to play at the Australian Open.
The saga, inspired by domestic political point-scoring about the country’s handling of the country’s record surge in new COVID-19 infections, created an international phenomenon with the Serbian president claiming harassment of his star player.
“I told my Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him and that our body is doing everything we can to see that the harassment of the best tennis player in the world ends immediately.” – Statement by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. ,
“Not the most typical trip from Down Under” – Djokovic’s coach and 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, during an overnight wait at Melbourne airport, on social media. ,
“Let’s be quite clear here. 2 different medical boards approved his waiver. And politicians are blocking it. Australia doesn’t deserve to host a Grand Slam.” –Tennis Sandgren, a two-time quarterfinalist from the United States, who is not playing the Australian Open this year because of the need for vaccinations, on Twitter. ,
“Mr. Djokovic’s visa has been revoked. The rules are the rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been important to Australia, where in the world from COVID-19 The lowest death rate is there, we are continuing to be vigilant.” – Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, on Twitter.
Djokovic traveled to Australia after receiving an exemption from the Victorian government, granted after a process that involved a panel of health officials. That exemption – the reasons for which are not known – supported her federal government-issued visa to play at the Australian Open.
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