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Will Clark: Australia should be asking questions of themselves after tennis star Novak Djokovic successfully appealed visa cancellation to play in Grand Slam





Should he play or should he go? That is the question Australia has been asking regarding the best tennis player in the world after he attempted to enter the country without being vaccinated.

Novak Djokovic was held in a detention centre after his visa was originally refused to allow him into the country to play in the Australian Open.

However, he was released on Monday after he successfully appealed the decision.

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The tennis star successfully argued that he should be allowed to enter the country because he had been recently infected with Covid and was entitled to a medical exemption.

But Australian officials had claimed Djokovic was not told that his medical exemption would allow him to compete at the Australian Open.

However, at the time of going to press, the immigration minister will consider a personal power of cancellation.

Novak Djokovic (right) successfully appealed against the cancellation of his Australian visa.
Novak Djokovic (right) successfully appealed against the cancellation of his Australian visa.

Djokovic being released will be a decision of huge embarrassment to the Australian Government.

Prime minister Scott Morrison said the Serbian player would be required to present evidence upon arrival that he has a genuine medical exemption from vaccination.

He said if that evidence is insufficient, then he won’t be treated any different to anyone else.

He said there should be no special rules for Novak Djokovic at all. None whatsoever.

But have the rules been eased to allow Djokovic into Australia for one of the biggest sporting tournaments, which captures the world’s attention?

Australia’s immigration policy is notoriously strict and most appeals against deportation ended in failure.

This is also a country which has done well with coping with the Covid-19 pandemic, pretty much closing its borders to most nationalities from abroad.

Over 90 per cent of Australians over the age of 16 are fully vaccinated, but due to restrictions, very few can travel abroad or even to another state in the country.

The issue has been one of intense debate in Australia, with the public accusing officials of allowing the rich and famous to do as they please, while ordinary members of the public have received vaccines and live by the restrictions, at the same time when they have said goodbye to loved ones who have died from the virus.

If Djokovic overcomes the final hurdle and is allowed to compete at the Australian Open in Melbourne, it will be interesting to see what kind of reaction from the public he gets.

He has had his supporters, in particular from the anti-vaccine campaigners who agree with his view for not receiving the jag, as well as back home in Serbia where he has received almost unanimous support from the public.

Whatever the public reaction, if he is allowed to play, Djokovic is a fighter and this will not put him off attempting to land another Australian Open title.

He grew up in Serbia during the time of the Balkan war and practised in an empty swimming pool, dreaming one day of becoming the best tennis player in the world.

The whole issue has been an absolute farce and in my opinion, a country has a right to protect its citizens.

Australia has a right to set its own rules, but the decision, for now, to allow Djokovic into the country, does suggest social standing can qualify you for an exemption.


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