Prime Minister Scott Morrison today announced that World No 1 men’s tennis player Novak Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled.
“Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant,” Morrison said in a press conference streamed live on Facebook.
“Entry to Australia requires double vaccination or a medical exemption. I am advised that such an exemption was not in place, and, as a result he is subject to the same rule as anyone else,” he said.
Djokovic was unable to furnish proof of why he was not vaccinated to the Border Forces at the airport last night, the Prime Minister said, in reply to a question.
Morrison also stressed that, “Ultimately, this is the responsibility of the traveller. It is for the traveller to be able to assert and back up their ability to come into the country consistent with our laws. If they don’t comply with the rules, the Australian Border Force will do their job and they have done their job, this is nothing about anyone individual but simply about following the rules. Those processes will take their course over the next few hours and that event will play up as it should.”
A day before, Djokovic, while wishing his fans a happy new year, announced on Twitter that he was heading “Down Under with an exemption permission”. He landed in Melbourne airport at 11.30pm on Wednesday night.
A tweet by Clint Stanaway, sports presenter of 9News, said Djokovic was transported to a quarantine hotel in Carlton and is set to leave later tonight. Although he can reapply for a visa while being deported, it is unlikely that will happen, it said.
Other media reports said Djokovic remained stranded in isolation at Melbourne airport amid the visa drama.
The news of the sensational visa cancellation has been met with wide reactions on Twitter. While some fans vowed not to go to the Australian Open, others called it a fair application of rules.
Djokovic is currently ranked as world No. 1 by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). He has won a joint record 20 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, including a record nine Australian Open titles. Overall, he has won 86 ATP singles titles, including a record 37 Masters events. Djokovic is the only man in the Open Era to achieve a double career Grand Slam and complete a non-calendar year Grand Slam. He is also the only player to complete the career Golden Masters on the ATP Tour, which he has done twice.
The Australian Open will take place at Melbourne Park, from 17–30 January.
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