Novak Djokovic was denied entry into Australia after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine medical exemption. Here’s what happened

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic is pictured after defeating Croatia’s Marin Cilic throughout their Davis Cup tennis semifinal match at Madrid Area in Madrid, Spain, on Dec. 3, 2021. Djokovic will look defend his Australia Open tennis title after he acquired a COVID-19 vaccine exemption, per ESPN.

Bernat Armangue, Related Press

Novak Djokovic thought he’d have an opportunity to defend his Australia Open tennis title after he acquired a COVID-19 vaccine exemption for the event. Which may not be the case anymore as Australia denied his entry into the nation.

Earlier this week, Djokovic acquired a medical exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine, in accordance with event officers.

• Nonetheless, a number of reviews urged Djokovic confronted a visa concern upon getting into Australia.
• Then, late Wednesday, Australia denied Djokovic’s entry into the nation and his visa was canceled after arriving in Melbourne, in accordance with ESPN.
• The Australian Border Power stated Djokovic failed to offer the fitting proof to obtain entry. Studies urged Djokovic’s workforce might need utilized for the flawed visa.
• The tennis star’s authorized workforce plans to attraction the choice.

The Australian Open presently requires all members to be vaccinated towards the coronavirus or have a medical exemption, which can be handed out by an impartial panel of advisers, in accordance with ESPN.

• “Djokovic utilized for a medical exemption which was granted following a rigorous evaluation course of involving two separate impartial panels of medical specialists,” event organizers stated in a press release. “A kind of was the Unbiased Medical Exemption Overview Panel appointed by the Victorian Division of Well being.”
• Per The Washington Submit, event officers stated that “a handful” of different gamers acquired a medical exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine.

Beforehand, the world’s No. 1 tennis participant didn't reveal his vaccination standing. He stated he was not sure if he would compete within the Australia Open, which runs Jan. 17 to Jan. 30 in Melbourne.

• Djokovic introduced his plan for exemption in an Instagram publish this week.
• “I’ve spent improbable high quality time with my family members over the break and as we speak I’m heading Down Below with an exemption permission. Let’s go 2022,” he stated on Instagram.

Djokovic acquired criticism and reward for the choice. His supporters cherished the information since he’ll play within the subsequent event. Nonetheless, others stated that the medical exemption is an indication that the principles don’t matter.

• “When you will have had ‘the principles’ drummed into you advert nauseam by an overzealous state premier, you'll hardly relish the prospect of a multimillionaire tennis participant working roughshod over the identical procedures,” Oliver Brown, chief sports activities author for The Telegraph, wrote.

Nonetheless, Prime Minister Scott Morrison stated that it’s not clear if Djokovic will play within the event as a result of he nonetheless must fulfill the Australian authorities, which is making an attempt to maintain their folks secure from coronavirus unfold, in accordance with Reuters.

Performing Victoria Sports activities Minister Jaala Pulford stated the federal authorities wouldn't supply a visa for him to enter the nation.

• “The Federal Authorities has requested if we are going to assist Novak Djokovic’s visa utility to enter Australia,” Pulford stated, per Reuters.
• “We won't be offering Novak Djokovic with particular person visa utility assist to take part within the 2022 Australian Open Grand Slam.”