2022 Australian Open: Novak Djokovic refused to enter the country in response to a backlash against the COVID-19 vaccine

Novak has Djokovic He has been denied entry to Australia before the Australian Open. This comes after being a tennis star gave the tournament organizers a medical exception to compete in the event, Although it does not have a vaccine against COVID-19. All players and staff of the tournament must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an exception granted by an independent expert to participate in the event.

Djokovic’s resignation has sparked outrage across the country, and he reached out to the situation on Wednesday.

According to The Times of London, Djokovic was stopped at border control due to a visa issue. A member of Djokovic’s team allegedly applied for a type of visa that does not apply to anyone who has received a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccines.

The report also states that the federal government has asked for help to address the visa issue, but that the state government has refused to enter.

“The federal government has questioned whether we accept Novak Djokovic’s visa application to enter Australia,” said Victorian Sports Minister Jaala Pulford. he wrote on Twitter. “We will not allow Novak Djokovic to support an individual visa application to participate in the Australian Open in 2022. We have always had two clear points: Visa approval is a matter for the federal government and medical exemptions. Doctors.”

It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post.

According to the organizers of the Australian Open, tennis star Novak Djokovic did not receive any “special benefits” after receiving a medical exemption from participating in the Grand Slam. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said 26 players without vaccines had applied for a medical exemption and had only been given a “handful”.

“It required an application from anyone who made it very difficult for us to make sure it was the right process and to ensure that it was treated independently by medical experts.” said Tiley. “No special favors or opportunities have been given to Novak Djokovic or any tennis player. There has been a process for everyone that goes beyond the usual process.”

Tiley also revealed that Djokovic’s reason for receiving the exemption will be private, “because the personal information of any applicant is drafted to ensure the independence of the process.”

Earlier in January, the Victorian government has released a statement on the tournament’s exemption policy and said it has a “two-phase independent process” to verify that a player has “a real state of health that meets the criteria for exemption.” Clearly, Djokovic decided to do it.

Djokovic is looking for his 21st Grand Slam title and is currently tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for most of the Grand Slam titles in men’s history. Nadal will then take part in the Australian Open has recently been positive for COVID-19. Federer will not attend the event because he is recovering from knee surgery.