Australia revokes Djokovic’s visa and turns into diplomatic storm

 

This is where politics takes an upper hand in sports.

The Serb, Novak Djokovic (34), a nine-time Australian Open Champion, and World number one Tennis player,  after he landed at 23:30 on Wednesday local time at Melbourne, was taken to detention hotel in Melbourne awaiting deportation.

Novak Djokovic sparked a furious reaction in Australia after announcing he had been given a vaccine exemption to play in the Australian Open which begins 17 January 2022. The star finds himself detained in an Australian immigration hotel fighting deportation, after having his visa revoked on his arrival in Melbourne and entry to the country denied. Djokovic, who has said he is opposed vaccination said on social media he had gained a medical exemption.

Tennis Australia, the sporting body which runs the Australian Open, confirmed the top seed had gained entry under its exemptions policy. It is Game, Set and Match even before the Grand Slam started.

Valid reasons for exemptions include an acute medical condition such as an inflammatory cardiac illness. A Covid-19 infection in the past six months also counted under the policy which was announced in December and endorsed by the Victorian state government. Federal authorities back then had no objection. It is pure politics.

Grand Slam campaign has escalated in to a diplomatic storm.