The probably unvaccinated Novak Djokovic is now allowed to participate in the Australian Open. The population is outraged, the cause is spreading into politics.
Novak Djokovic could win the 21st major in Melbourne, overtaking Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Australia’s people are angry. The country has repeatedly adopted strict measures to contain the coronavirus. After just a few cases, entire cities were sent into lockdown. Melbourne, the host of the Australian Open, has survived six lockdowns. And now the tennis star Novak Djokovic gets a special permit to participate in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, although he is probably not vaccinated. Djokovic, of all people.
The world number one has always refused to provide information about its vaccination status. The rules for participating in the Australian Open are clear. Either a player is double vaccinated or he receives an exemption from two independent expert panels. The conditions for the permit are tough.
Djokovic received such a permit. The 34-year-old announced this on Instagram. Neither Djokovic nor the Australian tennis association Tennis Australia gave any information about the reasons. The Australian people and the media reacted with incomprehension and anger to the announcement. A user commented on social networks that it was a «slap in the face for all Australians».
One reason for the violent reactions is likely that the Australian government kept the borders closed to citizens from March 2020 to early November 2021. Australians who studied or worked abroad were no longer allowed to return home. Fully vaccinated foreigners will probably not be allowed to re-enter until February.
The sports reporter Andy Maher therefore said: “This guy – who has taken extraordinary liberties in the face of the coronavirus – gets his exception.” It’s not the first time Djokovic has caused a stir in the context of the pandemic. In June 2020 he initiated the Adria Tour, a tournament series in the Balkans. This had to be canceled after two out of five tournaments due to numerous corona cases. Djokovic was also infected at the time, but was unreasonable. “I would do the Adria Tour again,” he said.
“Djokovic is about to become the country’s least popular visitor”
Maher’s professional colleague Samantha Lewis expressed herself even more violently on Twitter. The journalist of the TV channel ABC wrote: “It is the patriotic duty of the audience to constantly boo Djokovic.” And the Melbourne daily “The Age” commented: “Djokovic would be well advised not to have his usual ‘heartbreaking’ celebration in the Rod Laver Arena. He is about to become the country’s least popular visitor. “
everybody attending the Australian Open has a patriotic duty to boo Djokovic for the entirety of his stay. This is an obscene decision and organizers should be fucking ashamed of themselves.
– Samantha Lewis (@battledinosaur) January 4, 2022
Djokovic has the same rights as a double vaccinated person in the state of Victoria thanks to the special permit. He does not have to go into quarantine, can visit restaurants and does not have to be tested during the Australian Open.
Tournament director Craig Tiley defended the exemption. He said: “Anyone who met the requirements was granted entry. Nobody was particularly favored, there was no special treatment for Novak. ” Around 3,000 players, helpers, media professionals and other staff have been accredited for the Australian Open. According to Tiley, 26 of them have applied for a special permit. “Only a handful of the requests were granted,” he said.
Tournament director Craig Tiley calls on Djokovic to disclose the reason for the exception.
Tiley called on Djokovic to disclose the reason for receiving the exemption. According to the ABC, approval can be given because of a recent major operation, an allergic reaction to the vaccines or a coronavirus illness in the last six months.
The Prime Minister threatens to be deported
The public outcry in Australian society has also prompted politics. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison asked Djokovic to prove that the authorization was rightly granted. Morrison said, “Otherwise he’ll be sent back on the first plane. There will be no special treatment for him, not the least. “
So the first hurdle for Djokovic will be entry. He was allowed to participate in the Australian Open by the government of the state of Victoria and the Australian Tennis Association. The Australian Interior Minister Karen Andrews suggested, however, that the exemption is not a guarantee of entry – she did not name Djokovic. She said, “It is the government that enforces our rules on the border.”
At the ATP Cup, which will be held in Sydney until next Sunday, the players were also asked about the exemption. The Australian Alex de Minaur said: “I find that very interesting.”
The Australian Open starts on January 17th. Djokovic could win the tournament for the tenth time. If he can do that, he is the sole record holder with 21 major titles, ahead of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic can hardly count on the support of the audience in this project.