Novak Djokovic explained the situation: why the 20-time Grand Slam winner is being arrested in Australia

Novak Djokovic, the world’s leading men’s tennis player, He remains in the custody of the Australian Border Force (ABF) while awaiting the verdict on his visa from Thursday. The 20-time Grand Slam winner tried to enter the Australian COVID-19 vaccine with a medical exemption for the Australian Open, but a court will decide whether the exemption applies in the country as well.

Since 2020, Djokovic has repeatedly refused to extend his vaccination status he once said he was “against” vaccines completely. The Australian Open introduced a vaccine against COVID-19 for all players on 19 November, and Djokovic announced that he had received a medical exemption to compete on 4 January.

But after flying to Melbourne airport on January 5, ABF arrested Djokovic and threatened to deport him to his hometown of Serbia. The case is currently pending until the courts adjourn on Monday.

Djokovic is expected to return to Australia for the Open Grand Prix, which starts on January 17 in Melbourne, for his 21st Grand Slam victory. Here’s everything you need to know about his condition, starting with the latest news:

January 6, 2022: Djokovic has been in a quarantine hotel in the midst of a legal battle

In an attempt to delay his expulsion from Australia, Djokovic called for a judicial review of the country’s visa waiver decision. Federal Court Judge Anthony Kelly has said he has not yet received an application for Djokovic’s visa review, which is the first time Djokovic can be deported on Monday, when the case is returned to court.

According to ESPNNick Wood, Djokovic’s lawyer, asked the government not to expel Djokovic until his case was fully decided. The judge objected to the idea, while Djokovic could theoretically file “a series of appeals” while he wants Australia.

The problem with Djokovic’s visa seems to be the peculiarities of the medical exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine. Djokovic said he had received an exemption from participating in the Australian Open, but is arguing that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had failed to gain access to the country.

While Djokovic is waiting, Park Hotel is in Melbourne. ABF allegedly confronted the hotels that used to arrest them various fires and a Significant occurrence of COVID-19. Park Hotel Melbourne detainees were also provided with meals with lard and leeches, according to the Australian SBS World News.

January 5, 2022: Australia denies Djokovic access to the country

Djokovic announced that he would play in the Australian Open and a day later, the country revoked his 34-year visa and denied him entry. According to Aroa, Djokovic’s visa did not allow medical exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine, and he was forced to spend eight hours at the ABF detention center at Melbourne Airport.

Srdan Djokovic, Novak Djokovic’s father, told the Serbian media that he was keeping his son “captive” and that he would not be released after 30 minutes of “gathering” in the streets. Morrison, on the other hand, saw the situation differently.

“Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our limits. No one is above those rules,” Morrison said. “Our strong border policies have been instrumental in ensuring that Australia has one of the lowest mortality rates in the world as a result of COVID. We remain vigilant.”

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also plunged into the situation, calling on Djokovic in person and calling for his immediate release.

“Our Novak told me that the whole of Serbia is with him and that our bodies are doing everything to end the persecution of the best tennis player in the world immediately,” Vucic posted on Instagram. “In line with all the rules of international law, Serbia will fight for Novak, truth and justice. Novak is strong, as we all know.”

January 4, 2022: The Australian Open grants Djokovic a medical exemption

Djokovic revealed The Australian Open granted him a medical exemption, Clearing the way for participation in Melbourne. The nine-time Open winner announced the news via Twitter.

Less than an hour later, a Victorian government spokesman explain the decision of the state. Djokovic – like other players who want to prevent the COVID-19 vaccine through medical exceptions – went through a two-phase process to meet the criteria. The first phase was to submit an application to Australian Tennis, and the second was to review the Independent Medical Exemption Review Panel (IMRP).

To be medically exempted, players must have suffered from an acute illness or may have contracted COVID-19 in the previous six months, among other things. Djokovic is not known for any acute illness, and in June 2020 he last reported that he was positive for COVID-19 six months later.

December 29, 2021: Djokovic emerges from the Australian ATP Cup

With 19 days to go before the Australian Open, Djokovic retired from another Down Under tournament. Djokovic was left out of the ATP Cup Three days before he started in Sydney, Serbia was forced to give Dusan Lajovic his place in the group stage race in 16 countries.

The ATP Cup, unlike the Australian Open, did not impose a vaccination order on players. However, some saw Djokovic’s retirement from the ATP Cup as a precursor to a permanent termination in the Australian Open.

A few days earlier, Australian Open Director Craig Tiley had strongly suggested that Djokovic not receive any special treatment in terms of tournament vaccination policy.

“If Novak appears in the Australian Open, she will be vaccinated or will have a medical exemption,” Tiley said. The Guardian.

November 29, 2021: Djokovic’s father says Nova “probably won’t” play in Australian Open

Srdjan Djokovic expressed serious doubts about his son’s participation in the 2022 Australian Open. In an interview with Serbian television, Srdjan Djokovic explained why the tournament’s vaccination policy is likely to stop Novak from defending his title..

“In these blackmail and conditions, he probably won’t [play]. I wouldn’t do that. And it’s my son, so it’s up to you to decide for yourself, ”Srdjan Djokovic told BBC Sport. or not … No one has the right to enter our privacy. ‘

In keeping with his privacy policy, Srdjan Djokovic said he did not know what his son’s vaccination status was and that he would not tell the public if he knew.

November 19, 2021: The Australian Open requires a full player vaccination

The Australian Open announced all players must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to participate in the 2022 event. It was the first time a Grand Slam tournament required players to be vaccinated.

Initially, federal officials stated that players without vaccines like Djokovic could compete in the Australian Open if they were in quarantine for 14 days in Melbourne. But Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews called for all players to be vaccinated, as all fans and staff would be present.

“The only direction you can take is to ensure everyone’s safety, and it’s understood by all the gaming teams,” said Australian Open Director Craig Tiley. The New York Times. “Our sponsors will need to be vaccinated. All staff working at the Australian Open should be vaccinated, but when we are in a situation where more than 90 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated, they have done an excellent job.

Politics did not have the most impact, ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi said, with “over 80 percent” of the top 100 men’s singles players being vaccinated in November. It would certainly affect Djokovic, however.

October 1, 2021: Victoria vaccinates professional athletes

In a bid to slow the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19, the Australian state of Victoria, the host city of the Australian Open, issued a vaccination order for 1.25 million authorized workers. The staff member received the first dose by October 15 and the second by November 26 or expulsion from work.

Professional athletes were among those ordered, and Djokovic was questioned about his participation in the Australian Open. Djokovic has repeatedly declined to say whether or not he has been vaccinated, and it seems that mandates like Victoria’s are his main obstacle.

“My problem here with vaccines is if I force someone to put something on their body,” Djokovic said. The New York Times last June. “I don’t want to. That’s unacceptable to me.”

Djokovic also said he was “against the vaccine” in April 2020 Facebook Live chat, and himself He accused the media of spreading “fear and panic among the people” with the vaccination talk.