World No 1 Novak Djokovic denied entry into Australia at Melbourne; the Serb had flown to Australia with an “exemption permission” but the visa he applied for did not allow for medical exemptions; Djokovic moved to hotel quarantine as team launched appeal; appeal adjourned until Monday
Last Updated: 07/01/22 12:19am
Boris Becker is a former coach of Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic is making a “big mistake” if he is not getting vaccinated against Covid-19, according to his former coach Boris Becker.
The Serbian is currently being held in isolation at the Park Hotel in Carlton, Melbourne, awaiting the outcome of an appeal against the decision by the Australian Border Force (ABF) to cancel the reigning Australian Open champion’s entry visa and deport him. The appeal is set to be heard on Monday.
Djokovic had never revealed whether he is vaccinated against Covid-19, but has criticised mandates ruling that players must be double-jabbed.
The world No 1 posted on social media before setting off for the Australian Open to say he had received “exemption permission” to enter the country.
Novak Djokovic – Sequence of events
| Djokovic announces he will be travelling to Australia with an ‘exemption permission’ on Tuesday, January 4. |
| While Djokovic is airborne, Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the athlete will be on the “next plane home” if he cannot provide “acceptable proof” that his exemption is legitimate. |
| Acting Sports Minister Jaala Pulford highlights that the local government of Victoria, where the Australian Open is held, will not support Djokovic’s visa application. |
| The world No 1 arrives at Melbourne Airport around 11.30pm on Wednesday, January 5. |
| Around 3.15am local time in Australia, Djokovic’s father reports that his son is being held in isolation in Melbourne Airport. |
| At 5am local time, Goran Ivanisevic releases an image on social media of himself and Djokovic’s physiotherapist seemingly waiting for the world No 1. The post is captioned, ‘Not the most usual trip Down Under’. |
| Around 8.15am local time, Djokovic’s visa confirmed to have been denied. |
| Djokovic moved to quarantine hotel while team appeal visa cancellation. |
| Appeal against visa cancellation adjourned until Monday 10am Australia time. |
Becker – himself a former world No 1 and twice Australian Open champion, as well as winning three Wimbledon singles titles – enjoyed a successful three-year partnership with Djokovic, which included six Grand Slam victories.
The 54-year-old maintains a close relationship with the Serbian, but feels their views on how to best protect against coronavirus are very different.
“On this occasion, I think he is making a big mistake in not getting vaccinated,” Becker said in the Daily Mail. “It is one that threatens what remains of his career and his chance to cement himself as the greatest player of all time.
“Four times I sat in his box as he won the Australian Open, so I am fully aware of his great strengths as an incredible competitor. I also think he has a great character that can easily be misunderstood.
“Yet these strengths can also be weaknesses. The same incredible determination which I saw win so many close matches can be a vulnerability with his stubbornness.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Djokovic’s defence of his Australian Open title is in doubt – we explain the current situation and how it affects the world’s best tennis player
Becker feels if Djokovic does maintain his vaccine hesitancy, it could present more hurdles within his professional tennis career.
“He is incredibly strong-willed, with very firm beliefs. If he does not, then in 10 years he will look back on it and realise he made a mistake,” Becker said.
“It is not just about Australia. The fact is that we are living in a different world and he is going to find it very hard to live the life of a professional tennis player travelling around without the vaccination.
“Those are the rules, whether one likes them or not.”
Nadal: Djokovic knew risks | Parents: They’re crucifying him
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Rafael Nadal has had his say on Djokovic’s situation in Australia
Djokovic has been criticised by Rafael Nadal for “not following the rules”, while the Serb’s parents say he is a “scapegoat” and his treatment is a “political agenda”.
Nadal said: “If he wanted, he would be playing without a problem.
“He has taken his own position and everybody is free to take their position. But there are consequences. I don’t like the situation. In some ways, I feel sorry for him.
“But he knew the conditions months ago. He made his own decision.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Djokovic’s mother Dijana says her son is being treated like a ‘prisoner’ in poor conditions in his quarantine hotel
On Thursday, Djokovic’s father demonstrated outside the National Assembly buildings, and said of his son: “He met all the required conditions for the entry and participation at the tournament that he would have certainly won, since it’s Novak, the best tennis player and sportsman in the world.”
Srdjan Djokovic added: “Jesus was crucified and endured many things, but is still alive among us. Novak is also crucified… he will endure.”
Djokovic’s Aussie Open debacle: What’s happened?
Djokovic flew to Australia with a ‘vaccine exemption’ and arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday, but was ultimately denied entry into the country after nine hours at the airport.
The Serb’s visa was one which did not allow for medical exemptions and was cancelled, after which he was moved to hotel quarantine as his team launched an appeal – this appeal has been adjourned until Monday.
What are Australia’s current rules of entry?
Australia currently requires all foreign visitors entering the country to be double vaccinated, and to hold a valid and appropriate visa.
There are medical exemptions whereby some travellers may enter the country unvaccinated, but all of these are viewed and assessed alongside visas by Australia Border Force upon the traveller’s arrival to immigration.
Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison also confirmed that Australia Border Force outlined expectations of the federal government to Tennis Australia in letters sent in November regarding vaccinated and unvaccinated entry, and that a recent Covid infection was not a valid reason.
Criteria listed by the Australian Technical Advisory Group as permissible reasons for a medical exemption range from acute major medical conditions to any serious adverse event attributed to a previous dose of Covid-19 vaccine.
