Vasek Pospisil lambasted the Australian government on Sunday for making Novak Djokovic’s visa a political issue, thus depriving him of the Australian Open.
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After a legal standoff surrounding a medical exemption and two visa cancellations, Djokovic, unvaccinated, quickly left the country, hours before the best rackets begin their quest to win the first grand slam tournament of the season.
“Novak would never have gone to Australia if he hadn’t received an exemption to enter the country from the government (which he received, hence Judge Kelly’s original decision), argued Pospisil on Twitter. He would have skipped the Internationals and stayed home with his family and no one would have talked about the mess.”
“There was a political agenda at play here with the upcoming election that couldn’t be more evident. It’s not his fault. He did not force his way into the country and “make his own rules”; he was ready to stay home.”
Djokovic originally won the right to compete at the event by requesting a bye after contracting the disease in December. However, this exemption was canceled when he arrived on Australian soil.
The Serb challenged the decision and a first judge ruled in his favor. But the government then used its discretion to expel the holder of 20 Grand Slam titles, citing a “health risk”. This time, the Federal Court of Australia sided with the authorities.
“I am extremely disappointed, reacted Djokovic in a press release. I will now take time to rest and recuperate. It makes me uncomfortable that so much attention has been focused on me in recent weeks and I hope we can now all focus on the sport and the tournament that I love.”