Djokovic ‘Treated Like A Prisoner,’ His Mother Complains

Topline

Novak Djokovic, the world’s No.1 tennis player, will be deported from Australia if he filled out the wrong application forms or lied to the Australian authorities about why he should be given a vaccine exemption to compete in the Australian Open, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said Thursday.

Key Facts

It would mean that the tennis star perceives the “sovereign capacity of another nation for a joke,” if he filled out the wrong forms, Joyce told BBC.

He added Djokovic or anyone else who’s wealthy or famous “can’t just wander around the world” thinking that they are “above the laws of other nations.”

Djokovic, 34, is staying at a hotel for detained asylum seekers in Melbourne as he awaits a court hearing on Monday to appeal his visa cancellation.

Djokovic’s mother said at a press conference in Serbia that the tennis star was being “treated like a prisoner,” which was “not fair” and “not human,” CNN reported.

His vaccine exemption instantly sparked backlash in Australia and the tennis community, with Rafael Nadal–who is tied with Djokovic and Roger Federer on 20 grand slam titles—becoming the latest to speak about the world champion’s situation, saying: ‘‘I feel sorry for him but he knew the conditions months ago.”

The saga has even prompted Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to voice support for Djokovic, while Djokovic’s family and around 300 people gathered in front of the Serbian parliament in support of the tennis champion, Reuters reported. 

Key Background

The saga is in part a result of a political tug-of-war between Morrison’s conservative administration and the liberal Victorian government, Reuters reported. He arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday evening local time to compete in the Australian Open with an “exemption permission,” but was denied entry after he failed to provide sufficient justification for his medical exemption, according to a statement from the Australian Border Force. The federal government can nullify vaccine exemptions granted by states. The state of Victoria, where the 2022 Australian Open will be held, gave Djokovic a medical exemption. But the federal government denied his entry citing insufficient proof. Djokovic has publicly opposed Covid vaccines since early 2020.

What We Don’t Know

The grounds for Djokovic’s medical exemption. Anonymous sources told the Sydney Morning Herald that the Grand Slam tournament was likely to have granted him an exemption based on a Covid-19 infection within the last six months. Djokovic is not the only player or staff who was granted a vaccine exemption. Australian Border Force is investigating at least one unvaccinated tennis player and an official who have already entered the country with a medical exemption, according to the Age. Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said Wednesday 26 players and staff had applied for medical exemptions, of which a “handful” had been granted. 

Chief Critic

“Mr. Djokovic’s visa has been canceled,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. “Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from Covid, we are continuing to be vigilant.”

What To Watch For

He awaits a court hearing on Monday to appeal his visa cancellation.

Further Reading

Reaction to Novak Djokovic’s canceled visa in Australia (Associated Press)

‘He knew the conditions’: Rafael Nadal reflects on Novak Djokovic’s ‘rough situation’ ahead of the Australian Open (CNN)

Djokovic Can Stay In Melbourne Until Monday As He Fights Visa Cancelation In Court (Forbes)

Djokovic Will Be Deported From Australia But His Lawyers Vow To Appeal, Reports Say (Forbes)

‘Highly Probable’ Djokovic’s Vaccine Exemption Came From Recent Covid-19 Infection, Report Says (Forbes)