The refused entry for the Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic causes a lot of malice in the social networks. But his fans also speak up.
Novak Djokovic’s attempt to travel to Australia to play the Australian Open will undoubtedly go down as one of the most bizarre episodes in tennis history.
For the tennis player’s father, Srdjan Djokovic, his son is nothing less than a “symbol and leader of the free world”, as he told the media.
Federer as a border official
But many people see it differently. Some users blamed Djokovic’s competitors Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal Schadenfreude:
Djokovic is stuck at the airport – Federer and Nadal’s reaction is delicious. ? #FakeNews#Djokovic #Federer #Nadal #AustralianOpen #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/LtkF7SPmtH
– Corsin Manser (@CorsinManser) January 5, 2022
Or like here the picture of a smirking Federer as a border guard:
Live scenes at Melbourne Airport Border Control ..#Federer #Djokovic #AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/KD9SLP1X16
– RF – Invests (@RFInvests) January 5, 2022
While Nadal was of course not smirking like that, he was very clear: “I had Covid, I have been vaccinated twice. If you do, you will have no problem playing here and anywhere in the world. That’s the only thing that’s clear, “said the Spaniard on Thursday in Melbourne.
One user wrote very succinctly: “Well, you don’t play with Corona.”
Well, you don’t play with Corona.#Djokovic #ImpfenSchuetzt pic.twitter.com/AQAPj8XZK4
– ULTRAKÆRL (@ULTRAKAERL) January 6, 2022
Some hoped to be able to read when they woke up that Djokovic was actually on the return flight from Australia:
T. is now going to rest soon, hoping to read the “Novax” tomorrow morning #Djokovic is on the return flight from Australia, which as an unvaccinated person, despite all his millions, does not have a special status for participation in @AustralianOpen could squeeze.
– Thurnher office (@arminthurnher) January 5, 2022
Djokovic’s stay at Melbourne Airport reminds some users of Tom Hanks’ film The Terminal from 2004, when he played a passenger stranded in the transit area of New York’s JFK Airport:
The film of the year …#Djokovic pic.twitter.com/e0cTXjYw28
– Enver Robelli (@enver_robelli) January 5, 2022
Some scoffed that the island of Manus, which is part of Papua New Guinea, was thrilled to issue Djokovic an unqualified entry permit. The Australian government has set up so-called offshore internment camps for refugees and migrants on Manus:
Ohhh these guys are quick 🙂 #Djokovic The Manus Island Open is thrilled to announce wild card entrant Novak Djokovic https://t.co/Gm4l1smWrq
– WPinch_in (@ Feehily67) January 6, 2022
Many Australian nationals have been banned from entering their homes for months due to entry restrictions, even if they are vaccinated. The fact that Djokovic should now have received a special permit broke the barrel for many, as a BBC journalist sums it up:
There are 1000s of people – fully vaccinated – who haven’t been able to get to see family members and loved ones in Australia because of travel restrictions still in place. But someone who refuses the vaccine is granted an exemption. Odd messaging. #Djokovic https://t.co/t3Gx1hOpXb
– Jon Sopel (@BBCJonSopel) January 4, 2022
Fans and opponents of the vaccination support the player
But for his fans Djokovic is just a victim who was wronged. The Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic made the case a top priority, the Australian ambassador in Belgrade had to show up. “All of Serbia is behind him,” wrote Vucic on Thursday night after a phone call with Djokovic on Instagram. There is also the hashtag #WeStandWithNovak on social media.
Djokovic receives a lot of support from users who are critical of vaccinations:
Instead of getting generally upset about the fact that unvaccinated people no longer have human rights, one rushes against it #Djokovicbecause for a moment it looked like he was getting rights.
What has become of common sense since Corona?– Neverforgetniki (@nikitheblogger) January 6, 2022
Some see him as a media scapegoat and speak of the crazy tyranny of the Australians:
Sad day for free world. @DjokerNole Again made scapegoat by media and crazy tyranny of Australia. @joerogan other @lexfridman i guess it is time for you to invite @DjokerNole on your podcast ..#Djokovic #mybodymychoice
– cryptostarter9.crypto (@ cryptostarter9) January 6, 2022