(Melbourne) Novak Djokovic, threatened with deportation by Australia after the cancellation of his visa ten days before the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, was granted a reprieve until Monday, but was preparing for Thursday to spend his second night in detention, a new episode in an incredible saga tinged with diplomatic incidents.
The Serbian, silent on his vaccine status in relation to COVID-19, was turned away on Wednesday evening upon his arrival in Melbourne where he intended to participate in the Australian Open tennis tournament (January 17-30). But he lodged an appeal against the authorities’ decision to refuse him entry, for lack of documents necessary to obtain a medical exemption from the vaccination obligation.
During a first hearing Thursday before a Melbourne judge, a government lawyer said the deportation would not come until another hearing scheduled for Monday.
Judge Anthony Kelly, before whom Thursday’s hearing took place, warned that justice would take its course without haste and without being influenced by the controversy. “The rider will not let himself be led by his mount,” he warned.
A motley handful of supporters – from Serbs waving flags, anti-vaccines and migrant advocates – gathered on Thursday outside the Park Hotel in Melbourne, used by the government to hold irregular people, and where Djokovic was.
PHOTO LOREN ELLIOTT, REUTERS
Novak Djokovic fans have gathered outside Melbourne’s Park Hotel, where the Serbian player is believed to be.
Maggots in food
This hotel, in front of which protests regularly take place, has a bad reputation. A fire broke out there in December, forcing his evacuation. The selected people complained on social networks, supporting photos, of finding maggots and molds in the food. In October, 21 people there contracted COVID-19.
“Why didn’t you tell him anything before he came to Australia?” Why now ? […] I love Australia but what you are doing now is a shame for you, ”Gordana, a Serbian who has lived in Australia for 26 years, lashed out at AFP.
At least one person was apprehended as law enforcement attempted to disperse the protesters.
The father of world number 1, Srdjan Djokovic, called for another demonstration of support for “Nole” in Belgrade.
Djokovic had announced, with a smile on his face, his departure for Melbourne on Instagram on Tuesday. But the Serb, who had opposed compulsory vaccination and whose vaccination status is unknown, was finally disillusioned.
His visa was canceled, the authorities explaining that he had “not provided the appropriate elements to enter Australia” without further clarification.
The fate reserved for “Djoko” has gone badly on the side of Serbia. Its president Aleksandar Vucic wrote on Instagram that “all of Serbia was with him (Djokovic)” and that “the authorities were taking all necessary measures to ensure that the mistreatment of the best tennis player in the world ceases as soon as possible”.
Serbian daily Inform headlined in “a shame”: “Biggest scandal of all time!” The best tennis player on the planet will be kicked out of Australia. ”
Djokovic was already in the crosshairs of the Australian political class after the announcement of his medical exemption to participate in the Australian Open.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal, who contracted COVID-19 last month despite two doses of the vaccine, has expressed little sympathy for his Serbian rival.
“If you’re vaccinated you can play at the Australian Open and everywhere, and in my opinion the world has suffered enough to break the rules,” Nadal said. Djokovic “made his own decisions, and everyone is free to make their own decisions, but then there are consequences,” he added.
“Not for vaccines”
“If he has an exemption, then he should be here. If something went wrong with his papers and they did not let him in, well it happens sometimes, ”for his part philosophized the Russian Daniil Medvedev. “I have had a lot of visa issues in my career,” he said.
Already winner of 20 Grand Slams, like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic was aiming for a 21e record title at the Australian Open, a tournament he has won nine times.
For months, “Nole” had cast doubt on his participation because of the obligation to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter Australia.
Djokovic spoke in April 2020 against compulsory vaccination. “Personally, I am not for vaccines. I would not like someone to force me to be vaccinated to travel, ”he said.
He finally announced Tuesday that he had obtained a medical exemption allowing him to make the trip to Australia. The country’s regulations provide for this type of exemption in rare cases.