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Original poster

Djokovic gets medical exemption while Indian teen denied entry to Aus Open.

362 replies

CaliforniaDrumming · 05/01/2022 16:10

Vaccine inequity in operation. Novak Djokovic gets a medical exemption from being vaxxed for the Australian Open, while a 17-yr-old Indian player is denied entry because India has not begun vaccinating the under 18.

gulfnews.com/sport/tennis/australian-open-indian-tennis-teen-slams-double-standards-on-djokovic-1.84772010

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 08/01/2022 11:11

According to the BBC he tested positive on 16th December but on 17th he attended, unmasked, a ceremony honouring him for having his own Serbian postage stamp. Apparently "it is unclear whether he knew he had covid" at the time.

Exhausteddog · 08/01/2022 11:14

Well I expect they thought he wouldn't be able to go but once he caught covid they then applied?

Surely they'd have to apply earlier than mid-end December for a tournament that starts mid January?

although i guess all these events must have to be fairly fluid not just for covid drop outs but last minute injuries (or unforseen circumstances) as well.

Billi77 · 08/01/2022 14:19

He should be allowed in. A recent infection grants more immunity than a vaccination. Mandatory vaccination is draconian (and I’m v pro vax) and inhibits freedom of choice. And where there is no danger and a visa is actually granted it’s a no brainier. He’s there for a tournament, after which he will leave. He’s the worlds best player. The anger of the Australian people after months of lockdowns is justifiable. Djokovic is an easy target for a scapegoat. Nobody js looking very good in all of this. On the plus side at least it has shined a light on the utterly inhumane treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. That really is something Australia Should be ashamed of, more so given how Australia came to exist in the first place.

cantkeepawayforever · 08/01/2022 14:41

@FromEden

Australia just kicked the can down the road. They will still get the cases and, as a result hospitalisations and deaths especially once the vaccines start to wane. There is no hiding from covid
That is rubbish.

They have postponed infections until a point where there are vaccines that are effective against severe infection, a range of treatments for those who are ill, and anti-virals for the most vulnerable.

By 'kicking the can down the road', they have very successfully ensured that the infections that they do get will result in far fewer hospitalisations and deaths than countries such as the UK.

If vaccines wane, they can vaccinate again. What they will never have is the deaths that we had in the first year of the pandemic, when there were no vaccines and effective treatments were still being worked out.

ToooutThere · 08/01/2022 16:05

Great to hear from fellow tennis players who probably know Novak best:

IntermittentParps · 08/01/2022 18:06

Oh yes, the famously moderate and thoughtful Nick Kyrios…

IndigoC · 08/01/2022 18:13

What a saga this is turning out to be.

The crucial thing seems to be that he had a letter from the federal immigration department that seemed to okay his exemption?

And apparently if he had flown home immediately rather than staying and appealing he would have received an automatic 3 year visa ban. So it’s now clear why he’s fighting it. High stakes.

FromEden · 08/01/2022 18:44

So it’s now clear why he’s fighting it. High stakes.

Also, he could lose out in millions in sponsorships if he doesn't play. High stakes indeed

FromEden · 08/01/2022 18:50

And also not to mention the millions in prize money and the possibility of losing his No 1 ranking. I'm sure the aussie government would be delighted to set back his career like this though, as punishment for his non compliance. In fact, it seems to be there intent

FromEden · 08/01/2022 18:50

*their intent. Whoops!

tigger1001 · 08/01/2022 19:54

@FromEden

So it’s now clear why he’s fighting it. High stakes.

Also, he could lose out in millions in sponsorships if he doesn't play. High stakes indeed

With the way this is playing out he could lose sponsorships either way. If it turns out he was either lying to get into Australia or did indeed have covid but didn't bother to isolate then companies may not want that associated with their brand.
milkyaqua · 08/01/2022 22:15

I think he's fighting it because Daddy's Little Prince is an entitled turd.

Choux · 08/01/2022 22:38

He says he got Covid on 16th December but he has been photographed several times in public during what should have been his isolation period.

This situation is not playing well for his global sponsors. Is he looking for special treatment to enter the country? Falsifying that he had covid? Breaking Serbian quarantine rules? Is he an anti vaxxer?

The only part of this that is showing him in a good light is that he is in the regular detention hotel and not publicly complaining. Although his mother was Hmm

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/08/novak-djokovic-relied-on-december-covid-infection-for-vaccine-exemption-court-documents-reveal?CMP=ShareiOSAppp_Other

Tealightsandd · 08/01/2022 23:26

@IntermittentParps

Oh yes, the famously moderate and thoughtful Nick Kyrios…
Yeah. I prefer Rafa Nadal. As a tennis player, and his calm reasonable comments re the Djokovic situation.
Tealightsandd · 08/01/2022 23:28

They have postponed infections until a point where there are vaccines that are effective against severe infection, a range of treatments for those who are ill, and anti-virals for the most vulnerable.

By 'kicking the can down the road', they have very successfully ensured that the infections that they do get will result in far fewer hospitalisations and deaths than countries such as the UK.

If vaccines wane, they can vaccinate again. What they will never have is the deaths that we had in the first year of the pandemic, when there were no vaccines and effective treatments were still being worked out.

All this. And to add, far fewer cases of Long Covid disability too.

Itsnotover · 09/01/2022 00:06

@Choux

He says he got Covid on 16th December but he has been photographed several times in public during what should have been his isolation period.

This situation is not playing well for his global sponsors. Is he looking for special treatment to enter the country? Falsifying that he had covid? Breaking Serbian quarantine rules? Is he an anti vaxxer?

The only part of this that is showing him in a good light is that he is in the regular detention hotel and not publicly complaining. Although his mother was Hmm

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/08/novak-djokovic-relied-on-december-covid-infection-for-vaccine-exemption-court-documents-reveal?CMP=ShareiOSAppp_Other

What a dickhead he is. I can't stand these rich, arrogant a-holes who think the rules don't apply to them.

Kohby190 · 09/01/2022 04:26

What a disgrace, how can anyone think this is not a political stunt?
When challenged, what can a corrupt government do except double down and this person is just collateral damage.
apple.news/A2WyDtId_Rs-PckaKQfbVIQ

musicalfrog · 10/01/2022 07:08

FFS

What a mess!

Judge has quashed the visa cancellation so Djokovic can play.

milkyaqua · 10/01/2022 07:16

As we heard a short time ago, the court was told the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship may exercise his discretion to cancel Mr Djokovic’s visa regardless of today's outcome.

Judge Kelly says that if the visa is cancelled by personal exercise of power, Djokovic won't be able to enter Australia for three years.

"The stakes have risen, rather than receded."

Mr Hawke has served as Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs since December 2020. He also now has the power to exercise his discretion to cancel Mr Djokovic’s visa.

Asked about Djokovic's vaccination status back in October, the Minister said players would not be able to enter the country and compete in the Australian Open unless they were fully vaccinated.

"Our health advice is that when we open the borders everyone that comes to Australia will have to be double-vaccinated," Mr Hawke said.

www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-10/novak-djokovic-live-court-hearing-jan-10/100747106

Fingers crossed...

musicalfrog · 10/01/2022 07:25

Whatever happens there will be even more anger on the losing side now.

derxa · 10/01/2022 07:48

@musicalfrog

FFS

What a mess!

Judge has quashed the visa cancellation so Djokovic can play.

Good
Kohby190 · 10/01/2022 07:59

“Rules are rules” and the court found Djokovic didn’t break any so why in the world would this government pursue it further!
What is the point of a judge ruling if the government will override it?
This should never have happened, just because Australians have been treated so poorly by the government doesn’t mean we should be inflicting poor treatment on others.
Everyone should be able to play/work/move freely regardless of their medical status.

MaxNormal · 10/01/2022 08:25

Looks like he's been re-arrested.
Whatever your views on this case, it's a bit worrying when a politician with a grudge can override the courts at will.

user1471447924 · 10/01/2022 08:35

@milkyaqua

As we heard a short time ago, the court was told the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship may exercise his discretion to cancel Mr Djokovic’s visa regardless of today's outcome.

Judge Kelly says that if the visa is cancelled by personal exercise of power, Djokovic won't be able to enter Australia for three years.

"The stakes have risen, rather than receded."

Mr Hawke has served as Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs since December 2020. He also now has the power to exercise his discretion to cancel Mr Djokovic’s visa.

Asked about Djokovic's vaccination status back in October, the Minister said players would not be able to enter the country and compete in the Australian Open unless they were fully vaccinated.

"Our health advice is that when we open the borders everyone that comes to Australia will have to be double-vaccinated," Mr Hawke said.

www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-10/novak-djokovic-live-court-hearing-jan-10/100747106

Fingers crossed...

Hopefully this is what happens. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻