The currently number one on the tennis world rankings, Novak Djokovic, refuses to show proof of vaccination to enter Australia. This means that he may not be able to take part in the Australian Open, which should take place in Melbourne in January.
Across from the Serbian newspaper “Flash” said Djokovic: “In the current situation, I’m still not sure if I’ll go to Melbourne. I’m not going to show my vaccination status, it’s a private matter and an unreasonable request. ”People today would“ go too far ”when it comes to the curtailment of civil liberties.
Australian Immigration Secretary Alex Hawke admitted on Wednesday ABC Radio to understand Djokovic: “The country has ordered the border guards that everyone who wants to visit Australia must be double vaccinated. This is a general rule and does not only apply to tennis players. ”When asked whether there would be an exception for the Australian Open, Hawke replied:“ Not at the moment ”. Anyone wishing to enter Australia must be able to prove that they have received two doses of vaccine.
The Prime Minister of the state of Victoria, where the Australian Open will be held, Daniel Andrews, endorses the country’s vaccination entry policy: “I don’t think a tennis player will get an entry visa, and even if he does, it would probably have to go into quarantine for weeks, “said Andrews. “The virus doesn’t care about your tennis rank or how many Grand Slams you’ve won.” You have to be vaccinated to “protect yourself and others,” said Andrews.
Victoria recently made vaccination compulsory for professional athletes, without specifying whether foreign athletes are included. Andrews believes that it would be like this: “The professional athlete is on the ‘authorized worker’ list and they must be double vaccinated.” “Authorized workers” are people who have to leave the house to get their jobs.
