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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:
AnyFucker · 05/01/2022 19:17

The decision to let him in and been overturned, I understand

DickMabutt73962 · 05/01/2022 19:22

@ShmeevilWeevil

I don't particularly like djokovic but he is probably the greatest tennis player of all time. It would seem unfair to deny him the opportunity to compete and prove his GOAT status because he hasn't been vaccinated. Perhaps the tournament should have been moved to a remote island somewhere to avoid this situation.
😂
itsnotswimming · 05/01/2022 19:24

He's a twat. I've lost all respect for him when in summer 2020 he held a tournament in Croatia, refused to get tested on site and infected lots of people with Covid.

mynameiscalypso · 05/01/2022 19:26

@itsnotswimming

He's a twat. I've lost all respect for him when in summer 2020 he held a tournament in Croatia, refused to get tested on site and infected lots of people with Covid.
Plus it wasn't just a tournament was it? He, and others, were pictured partying and at nightclubs.
SquirrelG · 05/01/2022 19:26

Agree the issue is not whether he "should" have the vaccine but whether he should be an exception to Australia's particularly stringent rules.

Exactly. I couldn't care less if he doesn't want the vaccine, but he should be subject to the same rules as everyone else. I thought he "wanted to be liked" - not exactly going about it the right way, and I imagine the Australian crowd will react accordingly!

itsnotswimming · 05/01/2022 19:30

"Plus it wasn't just a tournament was it? He, and others, were pictured partying and at nightclubs.*"
*
Indeed!

Bobholll · 05/01/2022 19:44

I absoloutly despise him. He’s an arrogant wanker. Anti-vaxxer (not just covid, his kids are vaccinated either) & covid denier.

Australia were insane to even consider letting him in after his conduct during the pandemic.

Gooddog · 05/01/2022 20:09

Djokovic hasn't been given permission yet. He's been in the Victorian airport since last night. I'm not sure he'll be granted it.

queensonia · 05/01/2022 20:26

According to The Times he’s already taken a 14 hour commercial flight from Dubai to Melbourne

Lightscribe · 05/01/2022 20:26

A lot more have died whilst playing in 2021 than previous years.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_association_footballers_who_died_while_playing

WindyState · 05/01/2022 20:31

Will be hilarious if he gets sent back. He's an utter knob.

Gooddog · 05/01/2022 21:19

Victorian newssite reporting his visa has been rejected and he will be on a return flight later on Thursday
www.theage.com.au/national/visa-bungle-delays-novak-djokovic-s-entry-into-australia-20220105-p59m75.html

BluebellsareBlue · 05/01/2022 21:31

He's getting deported but is trying to get an injunction

OverTheRubicon · 05/01/2022 21:36

@KeepingAnOpenMind

Quite a few footballers and other athletes have suffered myocarditis and collapsed after being vaccinated so it is understandable that a top athlete is reluctant.

He has also recovered from Covid and thus has antibodies.

Surely even the most ardent Mumsnet Covid Cultist would be happy with an antibody test or LFT to prove this athlete is Covid free? Given the potential side-effects, isn’t it right for an athlete who has made incredible sacrifices to be cautious?

Given that the majority of the UK are against vaccine mandates it is interesting that many posters on this site apparently support this draconian measure.

Fully vaccinated people in some parts of Australia weren't even granted travel exemptions to travel across state lines (not even internationally) to visit family members with terminal illnesses for Christmas. Plenty of other Australians haven't been able to see overseas loved ones for over 2 years now.

The travel requirements for Australia have been far more draconian than here in the UK - and that's what makes it so disgusting that an avowed anti-vaxxer suddenly gets a medical exemption.

BruceAndNosh · 05/01/2022 21:37

I suspect he'll suddenly "find" some valid medical reason why he couldn't have it rather than "don't want to"

Frazzled2207 · 05/01/2022 21:40

Apparently the reason for being deported is not the vaccinated status per se but because a numpty in his entourage got him a visa for which there is no visa exemption allowed.
Tough shit mate. Back you go.
Knob.

Frazzled2207 · 05/01/2022 21:41

This is going to turn into a pr disaster for him. And so it should.

EmmaH2022 · 05/01/2022 21:42

I'm not sure
Some outlets are saying he thought he was exempt because of having had covid

Anyway, hope the under 18s have a good tournament too. Would imagine Djokovic is just doing this for publicity or to make a point if some kind.

EmmaH2022 · 05/01/2022 21:43

@Frazzled2207

This is going to turn into a pr disaster for him. And so it should.
Cross post
GemGEmGemster · 05/01/2022 21:47

There are so few contraindications to having the vaccine. Arrogant cunt not being one of them.

echt · 05/01/2022 21:48

Well, he's on the next plane out, now.

Byeeeeeee!

underneaththeash · 05/01/2022 21:55

I’m going to give him losing vibes.

Not into people cheating systems.

Cocoabutterformula · 05/01/2022 21:56

Surely it won't be overturned? Hardly going to get a warm welcome is he!!

mynameiscalypso · 05/01/2022 21:58

@Cocoabutterformula

Surely it won't be overturned? Hardly going to get a warm welcome is he!!
I am actually a bit sad that we won't get to see how the Aussie crowd reacts to him
merrymelodies · 05/01/2022 21:59

Not any more! The power of Mumsnet!Confused

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