Novak Djokovic ordered to leave Australia after visa mishap, Serbian president calls for the entry of the athlete into the country
- Replies 25
Novak Djokovic ordered to leave Australia after visa mishap, Serbian president calls for the entry of the athlete into the country — “whole of Serbia is behind him!”
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic was reportedly ordered to fly out of Australia on Thursday after the Australian Border Force rejected his visa.
The world number one has been the subject of headlines recently after his entry into the country to compete at the Australian Open was questioned on whether he has enough supporting evidence for his vaccine exemption, as well as the potential incorrect visa application.
It was also reported that the 34-year-old athlete is currently in the process of contesting the decision through the Victorian state judicial system.
Novak Djokovic’s visa to enter Australia was cancelled. Credit: Getty Images.
A statement issued by the Australian Border Force on its decision to reject Djokovic's visa read: "The Australian Border Force will continue to ensure that those who arrive at our border comply with our laws and entry requirements."
"The ABF can confirm that Mr Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently cancelled."
"Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa cancelled will be detained and removed from Australia."
"The ABF can confirm Mr Djokovic had access to his phone."
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called for the entry of Djokovic in Australia, saying that the "whole of Serbia" is behind the athlete.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic claimed that the “whole of Serbia” is behind Djokovic. Credit: Reuters.
“Our authorities are taking all measures to stop the harassment of the best tennis player in the world in the shortest possible period," he said.
“In accordance with the norms of international public law, Serbia will fight for Novak Djokivic, for justice and truth. Otherwise, Novak is strong, as we all know him.”
Djokovic's father said that the athlete was taken to a guarded room at Melbourne airport — separated from his team — where he was questioned until at least 5 am.
“Novak is currently in a room where no one can enter,” he told Serbian media outlet B92.
Meanwhile, Djokovic's coach Goran Ivanisevic took to Instagram to express his disappointment over the hostility of the authorities to them, posting a photo from the airport at 5 am with a caption saying: “not the most usual trip down under”.
Credit: Instagram
The Victorian government said that it rejected the request to sponsor the athlete’s visa just hours before he landed in Melbourne late on Wednesday night, claiming that there were concerns over whether Djokovic had enough evidence and documentation to prove the reason for his exemption.
Djokovic was said to be infected by COVID-19 during the 2020 Adria Tour event, which he himself organised in the Balkans.
However, a source from the federal government said that it was not clear whether the claims were sufficient to allow the athlete to enter the country under federal guidelines.
It should be noted that evidence of reasons for vaccine exemption is required at the border for unvaccinated people.
Acting Victorian Sports Minister Jaala Pulford claimed that ABF officials reached out to the state government hours before Djokovic landed in Melbourne in an attempt to allow the entry of the Serbian tennis superstar to the country on a visa that did not permit medical exemptions for being unvaccinated.
However, she said that the federal agency's request was rejected.
While Ms Pulford's account claimed that ABF was working closely with the Victorian government to handle the situation, the ABF said that the account was not true.
“ABF did not request Victorian government support for a visa. ABF reached [out] to the Victorian government to validate their public statements about their support for his entry, and whether Victoria had further information related to his medical exemption documentation,” an ABF spokesperson said.
Ms Pulford posted a tweet on Wednesday night regarding the Victorian government's decision to not support Djokovic’s visa application.
“The federal government has asked if we will support Novak Djokovic’s visa application to enter Australia. We will not be providing Novak Djokovic with individual visa application support to participate in the 2022 Australian Open Grand Slam,” she wrote.
“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.”
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said in a statement “any individual seeking to enter Australia must comply with our strict border requirements”.
“While the Victorian government and Tennis Australia may permit a non-vaccinated player to compete in the Australian Open, it is the Commonwealth government that will enforce our requirements at the Australian border."
While Tennis Australia confirmed that the majority of exemption applications from players or officials came from those who had the virus in the past months, both the organisation and the Victorian government implored Djokovic to explain to the public why he should be granted a medical exemption to enter Australia without proving his vaccination status.
The Serbian tennis superstar has been outspoken about his stances on vaccines and has refused to reveal the grounds for his medical exemption.
.png){kind=icon}
