Djokovic wants to go to the Australian Open - sports minister is cross: "We made it clear"

Created: 01/06/2022, 06:35 AM

From: Andreas Knobloch

Novak Djokovic is allowed to participate in the Australian Open.

What seems great from a sporting point of view is a "massive slap in the face" for the Australians from a sporting point of view.

• Novak Djokovic is allowed to participate in the Australian Open

• The tennis star receives a special permit - the press is harshly criticized (see first report)

• Now the Prime Minister speaks out and warns (update from January 5, 11:08 a.m.)

Update from January 5, 4.10 p.m.:

The chaos surrounding Novak Djokovic's entry to the Australian Open apparently continues. As the newspaper

reported, the Serb landed shortly before midnight (local time) in Melbourne and tried to enter with a visa that does not allow medical exemptions for unvaccinated people. But with exactly such a medical exemption, the defending champion wants to serve at the Australian Open (from January 17th), which had caused great misunderstanding Down Under.

As the government of the state of Victoria declined support to resolve the problem more quickly, Djokovic's entry at Tullamarine Airport was delayed.

"We will not support Novak Djokovic in applying for an individual visa to participate in the Australian Open," tweeted Sports Minister Jaala Pulford: "We have always been clear on two points: visa permits are a matter for the federal government, and medical exemptions are a matter for doctors . "

Djokovic scandal about vaccination status at Australian Open: "Ill hypocrisy" - Premier is now serious

Update from January 5, 11:08 a.m.:

After the press had harshly criticized Djokovic's participation in the Australian Open, the Prime Minister also reported and attacked the tennis star.

The medical exemption for a start of tennis star Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open is causing tempers down under.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison asked at a press conference that the record Grand Slam champion from Serbia submit the evidence to justify the exemption after his arrival.

Otherwise Djokovic could be refused entry.

"If this evidence is not enough, then he will be treated no differently than everyone else and will be on the next plane home," said Morrison: "There should be no special regulations for Novak Djokovic at all."

All participants in the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year (starting January 17), must be vaccinated or present a medical exemption.

Djokovic, with nine titles record champion in Melbourne, is clearly not vaccinated, but two independent medical expert panels gave him special permission to start at the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic should slip the mask off his nose when reading the newspapers in Australia.

© picture alliance / dpa / APA |

Barbara Gindl

First report from January 5, 9.45 a.m .: Press dismantled Novak Djokovic - "Sick hypocrisy, shameless villain"

Melbourne - Novak Djokovic is now allowed to participate in the Australian Open, although the tennis star is apparently not vaccinated.

That causes horror, especially in the Australian media, the tennis one does not come off well.

The Serb is of course the ultimate in sport, but there should be limits.

And with their words, the media do not hold back against Djokovic, the organizers and the tennis world.

"Frustrated, disappointing", or "who took on the role of villain", as well as "sick hypocrisy".

The Australian press comments on the medical exemption:

The Age's Novak Djokovic dismantled: "A city that has survived six lockdowns won't approve of it"

“The Age”

: “Novak Djokovic would be well advised not to have his usual“ heartbreaking ”celebration in the Rod Laver Arena. Judging by the ridicule his medical license exempted to fight for the 10th Australian Open title in Melbourne, he's arguably about to become the country's least popular visitor since Katie Hopkins was expelled last year, for bragging about breaking hotel quarantine. A town that has survived six lockdowns and where double vaccination is a requirement for access to any public common area is unlikely to approve of tennis’s leading vaccination skeptic being escorted through the VIP lane at Tullamarine Airport. "

"The West Australian"

: "The Djoker has turned into the Joker and shamelessly assigned himself the role of villain before starting his attempt to rule the tennis world."

Novak Djokovic is allowed to go to the Australian Open: "As if we had all received a massive slap in the face"

"The Canberra Times":

"Raise your hand if you were really surprised when Novak Djokovic received a medical exemption for the Australian Open. Horrified maybe. Angry yeah Frustrated, disappointed, disgusted, feeling like we all just got a massive slap in the face. It is sad for the people of this country who have repeatedly been denied international and interstate travel during this pandemic, even to see their loved ones dying. For those who got separated from their children or were unable to attend the funeral of a close friend or family member. Unfortunately, if you're a global sports superstar, even if you've shown no respect for a virus, the rules are different,which has infected nearly 300 million people around the world in the past two years. "

“The Herald Sun”

: “The medical exemption for Novak Djokovic so that he can play the Australian Open is a sick hypocrisy.

His participation is an insult to any Australian who has gone through hell because of Covid. "