Novak Djokovic confronted with visa bungle as he lands in Australia

Novak Djokovic landed in Melbourne on Wednesday in the midst of a political maelstrom over his medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination necessities, with a visa blunder including to the world primary’s issues forward of the Australian Open.
Djokovic touched down at Tullamarine airport at about 11:30 p.m. native time, however was awaiting permission to enter the nation after it emerged that his crew had utilized for a visa that doesn’t permit for medical exemptions.
That prompted the native authorities of Victoria, the state the place the Open is performed, to say it might not assist Djokovic’s utility, placing his destiny within the arms of the federal authorities and Prime Minister Scott Morrison.Morrison has confronted an infinite backlash over his authorities’s resolution to grant Djokovic a medical exemption from vaccination to play on the Open, the place the participant could be bidding for a file twenty first main title.
Australia, particularly the state of Victoria, has endured the world’s longest cumulative lockdown and an outbreak of the Omicron variant has despatched case numbers to file ranges.
Following the backlash, Morrison prompt Djokovic’s participation was not a achieved deal and he must fulfill the federal authorities, which has duty for worldwide borders and visas and was not a part of the exemption course of.
Morrison mentioned shortly earlier than Djokovic’s arrival that there could be “no special rules” for him on his exemption.”If that proof is inadequate, then he received’t be handled any completely different to anybody else and he’ll be on the subsequent airplane residence,” Morrison advised a media convention earlier.
VISA BUNGLE
Djokovic got here in on an Emirates flight however when border officers contacted the Victorian authorities to ask if the state would formally assist the world primary’s visa, it mentioned it wouldn’t.
“The Federal Government has asked if we will support Novak Djokovic’s visa application to enter Australia,” Victoria’s performing Sports Minister Jaala Pulford mentioned.”We won’t be offering Novak Djokovic with particular person visa utility assist to take part within the 2022 Australian Open Grand Slam.
“We’ve always been clear on two points: visa approvals are a matter for the Federal Government, and medical exemptions are a matter for doctors.”It was not clear whether or not the federal authorities would permit his entry. The Border Force couldn’t be reached for remark.
Tennis Australia and authorities officers moved rapidly to emphasize that Djokovic, who has mentioned he’s against COVID-19 vaccinations, had acquired no preferential therapy.
ANGRY AUSSIES
Djokovic, who has received 9 titles at Melbourne Park together with the final three, confirmed on Tuesday that had acquired a vaccination exemption to permit him to play on the Australian Open, which begins on Jan. 17.Australian tennis nice Rod Laver, after whom the primary showcourt at Melbourne Park within the state of Victoria is known as, warned that Djokovic would possibly face hostility from the native crowd.
“I think it might get ugly,” Laver advised News Corp. “I’d think the Victorian people would be thinking ‘Yes I’d love to see him play and compete, but at the same time there’s a right way and a wrong way.’”Yes, you’re an important participant and also you’ve carried out and received so many tournaments, so it may well’t be bodily. So what’s the drawback?”.
Melbourne native Christine Wharton mentioned it was a “disgrace”.
“We’ve all done the right thing, we’ve all gone out and got our jabs and our boosters, and we have someone that’s come from overseas and all of a sudden he’s been exempt and can play, and I think it’s an absolute disgrace and I won’t be watching it.”