Novak Djokovic / Australian Open

Deport Djokovic I say, I really don't understand these people that refuse (allegedly) to have the Covid vaccine.

"Rafa Nadal said he feels sorry for Novak Djokovic after the world number one was denied entry into Australia but added that the Serb knew for months he could potentially face problems if he arrived without being vaccinated against COVID-19.

Djokovic, 34, was detained by officials at the border on Thursday amid a storm of protest about the decision to grant him a medical exemption from vaccination requirements to play in the Australian Open.

The player, who has won nine Australian Open titles including the last three, is holed up in a quarantine hotel in Melbourne as his lawyers sought an urgent injunction against deportation."

Seen a few of the pro-choice/anti-vax lot kicking off about this. It is Novacc’s right to turn down being jabbed but it’s also Australia’s right to choose who can enter their country. Pretty simple really isn’t it?

I suspect the undisclosed issue for which the medical exemption was initially granted is needlephobia and he's too embarrassed about it to own up. It is a serious issue for some people (phobias can be very intense and cause serious problems for people) but isn't seen as sensible by most who aren't that bothered about injections.

Alternatively, he could just be a pillock.

Can't the Australians just vaccinate him whilst he's asleep, like the time they amputated Paul Robinson's leg?

Quoted from Abdul19

Can't the Australians just vaccinate him whilst he's asleep, like the time they amputated Paul Robinson's leg?

Australia’s full of prïcks. He’s going to be lucky to avoid a jabbing even if they let him in.

Quoted from Maringer

I suspect the undisclosed issue for which the medical exemption was initially granted is needlephobia and he's too embarrassed about it to own up. It is a serious issue for some people (phobias can be very intense and cause serious problems for people) but isn't seen as sensible by most who aren't that bothered about injections.

Alternatively, he could just be a pillock.

Or a ridiculous government who even said don't talk to your neighbours & wear face masks when they drive, even if they are alone.

His exemption application was based on previously contracting covid.

Djokovic received his exemption from the Victorian government. While the reason for his medical exemption was not officially released, The Age newspaper in Melbourne reported on Thursday that it was on the basis that he had contracted COVID-19 in the past six months.

And then sanctioned by Tennis Australia:

The statement said Djokovic had received the exemption following "a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels of medical experts."
"One of those was the Independent Medical Exemption Review Panel appointed by the Victorian Department of Health. They assessed all applications to see if they met the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) guidelines," the statement read.
The panels conducted "blind" assessments of exemption applications, meaning they did not know the identity of the person they were assessing.
The Victorian government released a statement on Tuesday night saying that it had worked closely with Tennis Australia on setting up an "independent and rigorous process to assess requests for medical exemptions at the Australian Open".
"Any player who is granted a medical exemption will have gone through a two-stage, independent process to verify they have a genuine medical condition that meets the criteria for an exemption."  




The farce is explained quite well here.

https://www.smh.com.au/nationa.....20220106-p59mab.html

Can anyone confirm if he’s at one of their wonderful internment camps?

The Australian government have gone from one extreme to the other and to be honest, this just smacks of male private swinging. He’s a medical exemption, simple as that.

Are the entire England cricket team vaccinated? Has everyone else that’s been ‘allowed’ in to Australia been vaccinated? I highly doubt it, and besides, makes little difference either way really does it.

I heard some speculating on the radio yesterday morning that he was trying to get in having had Covid recently but it was likely that he had only had it confirmed by LFT. Australia want a PCR as proof and therefore his visa is void - and also explains why some other tennis players and possibly some England cricketers have been allowed in and he hasn’t.

Quoted from Abdul19

Can't the Australians just vaccinate him whilst he's asleep, like the time they amputated Paul Robinson's leg?

I laughed way too much at this

Oh dear.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/the-djoke-is-on-fortress-australia-20220110-p59n0h.html

Total embarrassment for the government.

https://www.theguardian.com/sp.....tralian-border-force

The question now, is how is it that Djokovic was able to confirm he would be playing at the Australian Open, 8 days before he contracted Covid which would then allow him to gain the exemption?

Quoted from Maringer

The question now, is how is it that Djokovic was able to confirm he would be playing at the Australian Open, 8 days before he contracted Covid which would then allow him to gain the exemption?

Let’s be honest, Djokovic didn’t have COVID in December. He’s just saying he did. The day after he “tested positive” he was photographed with a couple of dozen young Serbian tennis players and the day after that he was interviewed face to face.

I really hope the Australians deport him.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

Let’s be honest, Djokovic didn’t have COVID in December. He’s just saying he did. The day after he “tested positive” he was photographed with a couple of dozen young Serbian tennis players and the day after that he was interviewed face to face.

I really hope the Australians deport him.

The plot thickens as the Serbian PM slams Novak Djokovic for "clear violation of rules" with jail term possible.

I’m not sure what would be funnier: him getting deported or losing his first match in straight sets so that it was a completely pointless journey in the literal and metaphoric sense. Bloke’s come out of it looking like a complete twit.

He looked a complete twit when he had his sports tournament thing in Serbia during the first wave of infections and almost everybody who attended caught Covid.

Ha ha. Visa revoked again.

And you’ve got to love the timing of the decision. Friday evening when he’s due to play on Monday meaning even if he appeals there is realistically no chance of an appeal hearing occurring in time for him to play his match on Monday.

Game, set and match Australian government.

They’ve shithoused him all the way through. It’s their national sport and he thought he could beat them at it!

Quoted from GollyGTFC

And you’ve got to love the timing of the decision. Friday evening when he’s due to play on Monday meaning even if he appeals there is realistically no chance of an appeal hearing occurring in time for him to play his match on Monday.

Game, set and match Australian government.

Appeal incoming.

So to summarise.
He didn't break any rules & there were no determined issue with his paperwork or exemption, which was valid. Hawke states this clearly in the court docs. He was deported for the govt not liking his public opinions.

Worrying.

Sensible decision from the LTA.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/61233611

Correct decision Djokovic a modern day hero, now they just need to reinstate the Russians!