Why Novak Djokovic's visa was canceled -- and what it means for the Australian Open

Rahul Mahariya -
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World No. 1 Novak Djokovic's hopes of winning his 10th Australian Open in 2022 were dashed after being denied entry in Australia on Thursday. Djokovic arrived in Melbourne late on Wednesday night, just a week and a half before the first Grand Slam of the year. The 34-year-old was granted medical exemption for the country's COVID-19 vaccination requirements to compete in the tournament, but on a bizarre day in which he was detained for eight hours at the airport, his visa was eventually denied Was.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted: "Mr Djokovic's visa has been revoked." "Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our boundaries. No one is above these rules."

In an interview on Thursday morning, Australia's Health Minister Greg Hunt said Djokovic had failed to provide border officials with an "appropriate standard of evidence" for his exemption.

For months, Djokovic's reluctance to get the vaccine has fueled speculation about his status for the year's first Grand Slam. He has never publicly stated whether he has been vaccinated, but has repeatedly called it a "personal decision" and a "private matter."

Finally, earlier this week he announced that he would be playing in the tournament and was heading to Australia. But after a night full of public criticism and confusion over the relaxation decision, it is unclear whether he will leave the country immediately or try to appeal the decision and stay at a nearby quarantine hotel.

So, how exactly did this happen, and what does it mean for Djokovic and the tournament? Here's what we know so far.

First things first, do players need vaccines at the 2022 Australian Open?

The short answer is yes. All players - as well as everyone on the Melbourne Park grounds - must have completed a full dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (a series of at least two shots in most cases) in order to participate.

Someone may apply for exemption if they meet any of the guidelines recommended by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization, including evidence of a COVID-19 infection in the past six months, a reduction from the previous dose" serious adverse event". vaccine or a serious major medical condition.

Tournament director Craig Tilly said 26 people associated with the event, including Djokovic, had applied for exemptions and that only a "handful" were approved.

Why was Djokovic exempt?

Due to privacy laws, we don't know for sure. Djokovic tested positive for the virus in June 2020, but there have been no reports of further infection.

Tilly said Djokovic was not treated specifically and each application was reviewed by two independent panels, with the names modified for confidentiality. Tilly called it a "completely valid application and process."

Djokovic had previously pulled out of this week's ATP Cup in Sydney, fueling speculation that he would not compete at the Australian Open. But on Tuesday, he revealed on Instagram that he is going to Australia for the tournament. "Today I'm going downstairs with exemptions allowed," he wrote.

Looks like Djokovic was cleared by the tournament, so why can't he play?

Djokovic was granted an exemption by Tennis Australia (not the Australian government), but filed the wrong type of visa to enter their border, and was not valid for an unvaccinated person. As a result, they were stopped on their arrival at Melbourne airport at around 11:30 pm. According to Srijan, Djokovic's father, local time on Wednesday night, Djokovic was isolated in a single room overnight while talking to officers of the Australian Border Force.

"Novak is currently in a room that no one can enter," Srijan told Serbian media organization B92. "There are two policemen in front of the room."

Djokovic's coach, Goran Ivanisevic, posted a photo of Djokovic's physiotherapist, Ulysses Badio, with Djokovic's physiotherapist, early in the morning from the airport. The caption read: "Not the Most Ordinary Travel Down Under" with a series of emoji.

According to Paul Suckle of Melbourne newspaper The Age, Djokovic was asked to provide documents to prove the reason for his exemption.

"A federal government source familiar with the episode said there were question marks about whether Djokovic had sufficient documents to prove the reason for the exemption," Sakal wrote. "This evidence needs to be presented at the border by unvaccinated people. It was unclear whether a COVID-19 infection in the past six months - which is considered to justify a player's exemption - is not clear," the source said. was sufficient to secure entry into Australia under federal guidelines."

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also insisted on providing evidence to Djokovic.

"Anyone wishing to enter Australia must comply with our border requirements," Morrison said at a news conference on Wednesday.

"If he has not been vaccinated, he must provide acceptable proof that he cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. ... If that evidence is insufficient, he will not be treated differently from anyone else and he Will be home on the next plane."

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews clarified on Wednesday that the final decision would depend on the Australian Border Force.

"While the Victorian government and Tennis Australia may allow a non-vaccinated player to compete at the Australian Open, it is the Commonwealth government that will enforce our requirements at the Australian border," Andrews said. "If an arriving person has not been vaccinated, they must provide acceptable proof that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons in order to have access to the same travel arrangements as fully vaccinated passengers."

Following the decision, Djokovic spoke to Border Force officials at the Melbourne airport for several hours.

Victorian Sports Minister Jala Pulford said Border Force officials reached out to the Victorian government before Djokovic's flight arrived and asked whether it would help sponsor Djokovic's visa application. He said there was a decline.

Did anyone from Djokovic's home country of Serbia join?

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke to Djokovic on the phone at the airport and vowed to do all he could to help the country. Vucic posted about their conversation on Instagram shortly after.

"I told my Novak that [all] Serbia is with him, and that our authorities are taking all measures to stop the harassment of the best tennis player in the world," Vucic said in a translated text.

"In accordance with all norms of international public law, Serbia will fight for Novak [Djokovic], for justice and truth."

According to reports, Australian Ambassador to Serbia Daniel Emery was called in to assist in liaising with Serbian government officials in Belgrade. Officials from the Serbian Embassy in Canberra also attended.

Isn't Djokovic called the "King of Melbourne" and beloved by the Australian crowd? Why was everyone so mad that he must have been playing?

More than 90% of Australia's adult population is fully vaccinated, and residents of the country have experienced strict travel restrictions over the past two years as the country attempts to contain the virus. As such, many are upset about the prospect of special treatment for a celebrity, when many within the country still cannot travel internationally, or even in some cases, domestically.

Reaction to Djokovic's waiver announcement was immediate and largely negative. Apart from the prime minister, several local politicians also weighed in on their displeasure.

How did other players react to the news?

Many felt similar to the Australian public when the initial exemption was revealed.

"I think if it was me who didn't get vaccinated, I wouldn't have been exempted," former world No. 1 doubles player Jamie Murray told reporters at the ATP Cup this week. "You know, but good for him to come to Australia and be clear to compete."

Other players are more sympathetic to Djokovic.

"I don't understand why [Djokovic] is getting so much hate for his vaccine waiver," US doubles player Nicole Melicher said in a tweet before Djokovic's visa was denied. "That's within the rules, and the government could have said no, but they didn't."

Two-time Australian Open quarterfinalist Tennys Sandgren, who is not playing in the event this year due to the need for a vaccine, has repeatedly expressed her displeasure at the Australian government's treatment of Djokovic.

What does this mean for the tournament?

Very little! Djokovic has won more singles titles at the Australian Open than any other player in the Open Era, and was looking for his 10th trophy in Melbourne, as well as a record-breaking 21st major title. After narrowly and disastrously losing the elusive "Calendar Slam" at the US Open in September, Djokovic was undoubtedly hoping to return to his favorite Slam.

Djokovic, the three-time defending champion, was a strong contender for the title and his absence will certainly give a chance to other players. World number two Daniil Medvedev, who beat Djokovic in New York, will have a chance to win another big title on hardcourt, his favorite surface. For other young players, such as No. 3 Alexander Zverev or No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas, it could be a golden opportunity for a first Slam win.

Additionally, 20-time major champion Rafael Nadal will play in his first major since the French Open (where he fell - you guessed it - Djokovic in the semi-finals) after being sidelined by an injury. He will now be the lone member of the "Big Three" in the draw and have a chance to break the coveted major record.

Are there vaccine requirements in any other tournaments or host countries? Will this become an issue throughout the season?

If there is one thing we know for sure, it is that protocols and regulations are constantly changing as the virus continues to change and new forms emerge. However, as of this writing, there is no word about any other tournaments or host countries requiring players to be vaccinated. Djokovic has previously said that he will not be playing in many events at this stage of his career, so it is possible that we will see him competing again for the "Sunshine Double" in late February, to Dubai or to Indian Wells and Miami in March. Won't see ,

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