Djokovic’s Australian Entry Denied Amid Growing Backlash Over Covid Vaccination Waiver

Topline

Novak Djokovic, men’s tennis No.1 player, was waiting to enter Australia to compete in the Australian Open as of Wednesday morning, after being denied a visa by the Victorian state government amid controversy surrounding a vaccine exemption granted to him, the Age reported.

Novak Djokovic (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

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Key Facts

Djokovic arrived in Australia at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, local time, but was denied entry, as he had applied for a visa that does not allow medical exemptions for vaccinations against Covid-19, the Age reported, citing an anonymous source.

Jaala Pulford, Australia’s acting Sports Minister, tweeted, “We will not be providing Novak Djokovic with individual visa application support” for him to take part in the 2022 Australian Open.

The world’s top tennis player said Tuesday in an Instagram post he was headed to Melbourne “with an exemption permission.”

The Australian Border Force—which has been trying to get the Victorian government to support Djokovic’s visa—can permit his entry at their discretion despite the Victorian government’s refusal to issue a visa, according to the Age.

It appears likely he was granted the exemption for either a “PCR-confirmed positive test result for the virus within the last six months” or an “acute medical condition,” based on existing guidelines.

Chief Critic

Australian lawmaker David Southwick, deputy Victorian Liberal leader, tweeted, Djokovic’s vaccine exemption was a “disgrace” as the Victorian community has had six lockdowns during the pandemic. The backlash against Djokovic’s vaccine exemption comes as the Australian government had been accused of being more flexible with the wealthy and famous celebrities, the BBC said. Tennis players have questioned whether Djokovic’s stardom influenced his vaccine exemption. British tennis player Jamie Murray said Tuesday, “I think if it was me that wasn’t vaccinated I wouldn’t be getting an exemption.” Rod Laver, Australian tennis great, said Djokovic should disclose why he was given an exemption. “Yes, you’re a great player and you’ve performed and won so many tournaments, so it can’t be physical,” Laver said, “So what is the problem?”

What To Watch For

Whether Djokovic, 34, will share why he was given a medical exemption to participate in the Australian Open. Acting Premier Jacinta Allan said Wednesday the government expects him to explain to the Victorian community why he was granted an exemption and elaborate on “some of the motives behind his actions and his intentions in playing” in Australia. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said if the evidence Djokovic presents regarding his vaccine exemption is “insufficient,” he would be “on the next plane home,” stressing he would not be given special treatment.

Tangent

A total of 26 applications had been filed seeking medical exemptions from being vaccinated for the Australian Open, according to Tennis Australia. But it was not immediately clear how many exemptions were granted.

Key Background

Djokovic has drawn controversy due to his position on Covid vaccines. In April 2020, the Serbian athlete said, “Personally I am opposed to vaccination and I wouldn’t want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel.” He has not disclosed his vaccination status. Last month, he withdrew from the ATP Cup in Australia, which raised doubts about whether he would play in the Australian Open. He was among the 13 of Forbes 50 highest-paid athletes to refuse to say they had been vaccinated last year.

Big Number

$34.5 million. That’s how much he earned in 2021, making him the world’s 46th highest-paid athlete, according to Forbes.