It doesn’t matter who made a mistake about the visa, vaccination exemption or whatever, the reality for world number one Novak Djokovic is that he was spending one of his important religious holidays in an Australian detention hotel to put on every effort to avoid expulsion.
Djokovic has received calls from Serbia, including from his parents and the president, in the hope of cheering him up. A priest at the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Melbourne has asked immigration authorities for permission to visit the nine-time Australian Open champion to celebrate Orthodox Christmas.
“Our Christmas is rich in many customs and it is so important that a priest visit it,” Church dean Milorad Locard told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Everything surrounding this event is appalling. That he has to spend Christmas in detention… it’s unthinkable. “
The evidence Djokovic relied on to justify a medical exemption from Australia’s strict COVID-19 vaccination policy was dismissed by Australian border officials upon his arrival at Melbourne airport on Wednesday evening and his visa was canceled. He has been confined to the detention hotel since he was transferred from the airport.
The Australian Border Services Agency confirmed on Friday evening that after further inquiries into the visa status of two other individuals linked to the Australian Open, one had voluntarily left the country and another had been placed in detention for migrants pending deportation. She added that she would not comment further on either person.
The Czech Embassy in Canberra has identified doubles player Renata Voráčová as one of the individuals.
“Renata Voráčová has decided to leave Australia as soon as possible and will not take part in the Melbourne tournament,” the Czech embassy said.
During the day, Djokovic supporters gathered outside the Park Hotel, used to house refugees and asylum seekers near downtown Melbourne, waving flags and banners.
They mingled with human rights activists who were there more to highlight the plight of other long-term detainees, many of whom have long complained about their living conditions and exposure to the coronavirus during the pandemic.
In the aftermath of the Prime Minister and Home Secretary’s comments that it was every traveller’s responsibility to have their visa documents in order, it seemed to locals that no matter what mistakes occurred in the process, one of the most prominent athletes in the world was in custody.
Non-compliant proof
Djokovic flew to Australia confident he had everything he needed to make it to the first major tournament of the season. He had been approved by the state government of Victoria for a medical exemption from the tournament’s vaccination rules based on details he provided to an independent panel of medical experts and in accordance with Tennis Australia guidelines.
But that same evidence did not comply with Australian government regulations.
So instead of preparing to defend his title at the Australian Open and try to win a 21st major title, a record for men, he is preparing to defend his case in federal court to challenge the cancellation of his visa and deportation. It’s a week before the tournament starts.
Attention is moving away from Djokovic’s vaccination status – a touchy subject in a city where residents spent 256 days in 2020 and 21 under severe restrictions on movement and gatherings – and questions about how he could have ended up in this situation.
Even some who have criticized Djokovic in the past are now apparently on his side.
“Look, I really believe in taking action, I got the vaccine because of other people and for my mother’s health, but the way we are dealing with Novak’s situation is bad, really bad. said Nick Kyrgios, Australian player and vocal critic of some of Djokovic’s views on vaccination, on Twitter. He’s one of our great champions, but at the end of the day he’s human. Let’s do better. “
While the players sympathized with Djokovic’s situation, some noted that getting the vaccine would have avoided any drama.
Djokovic was skeptical of the vaccines and declined to disclose whether he had received any vaccines for COVID-19, but there is no doubt that he traveled to Australia believing his papers were all in order.
Australia’s strict COVID-19 laws require inbound travelers to have received two injections of an approved vaccine or have an exemption for a bona fide medical reason, such as an acute condition, to avoid quarantine .
Tennis Australia said Djokovic’s exemption request was “granted following a rigorous review process.” Neither Tennis Australia nor Djokovic have disclosed the reason for requesting a exemption.
After the visa cancellation was announced, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley defended the “very legitimate request and process” and insisted there was no no special treatment for Djokovic.
He added that only 26 people linked to the tournament had requested a medical exemption – to avoid the rule that all players, staff, officials and spectators had to be fully immunized and only a “handful” was granted. None, with the exception of Djokovic, who posted it himself on social media before flying to Australia, has been publicly identified. Today, three of them are either in detention or left.