According to the Australian Border Force, the presumably unvaccinated Djokovic was unable to submit the necessary documents for an exemption to enter the country. In a statement it said that the Serb had not provided adequate evidence to fulfill the entry requirements and therefore “the visa was subsequently canceled”. Australian media reported, however, that Djokovic’s team had applied for the wrong visa.
The nine-time Melbourne winner had previously received the green light for a medical exception regulation that exempts him from the obligation to vaccinate against Covid-19 upon entry and should therefore enable him to compete at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Visa problems for Djokovic
After the fuss about his exemption for the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic now obviously has problems entering Melbourne. On arrival at the airport it was found that the Serbian visa was not valid, the Australian media reported on Wednesday.
Djokovic landed with an invalid visa
The world number one landed in Melbourne on Wednesday with a plane from Dubai shortly before midnight (local time). Djokovic was detained at the metropolis’ airport for several hours after his arrival after the border protection authorities had raised initial concerns about the entry visa.
According to the media, the documents submitted by Djokovic did not provide for medical exemptions for unvaccinated people. The authorities of the Australian state of Victoria contacted therefore refused to support him. His son was held in a guarded room, Novak’s father Srdjan Djokovic told the Internet portal B92. “Novak is currently in a room that no one can enter,” he said. “There are two policemen outside the room,” he added.
Serbian President intervenes
Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic also intervened in the case in the evening, offering the tennis star his help in a phone call. “All of Serbia is with Novak and our authorities are doing everything to end this chicane immediately,” said Vucic, who summoned the Australian ambassador. The cause could thus also have diplomatic consequences.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison replied that no one was above the law. “Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our limits. Nobody stands above these rules. ”Interior Secretary Karen Andrews also spoke plainly:“ Every person who wants to enter Australia has to comply with our strict border regulations, ”she emphasized. Victoria State Regional Government and Tennis Australia could allow an unvaccinated player to participate in the tournament, but the border rules would be monitored by the national government.
Causa Djokovic causes outrage
Even before the 34-year-old arrived in Australia, a wave of indignation had built up in the host country of the first Grand Slam tournament of the season. The exception permit for Djokovic caused “anger and confusion”, as the broadcaster ABC called it. Other comments ranged from “slap in the face for all Australians” to “slap in the face for millions of Australians”.
Tournament director Craig Tiley defended the controversial decision, but asked the 20-time Grand Slam winner for clarification. The tournament starts on January 17th in Melbourne. Only players who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus or who have received a medical exemption are allowed to take part.
Exemption ends speculation
On Tuesday, after weeks of silence and hesitation, Djokovic announced that he would now fly to Australia thanks to precisely such a special permit. He has not yet made his vaccination status public. Djokovic has already won the Australian Open nine times and wants to compete as the defending champion. If he won, he would leave his rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal behind with Grand Slam triumph number 21.
