Tennis-Djokovic is staying at the airport, awaiting the decision of the Australian government visa

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic was trapped at an Australian airport last night in a political turmoil as to whether the world’s No. 1 medical exemption should be exempted from vaccination requirements or sent home due to a visa error.

Djokovic landed at Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne on Wednesday at around 11:30 pm local time after a 14-hour flight from Dubai.

But he was still waiting for permission to play in the Australian Open after learning that his team had applied for a visa that did not allow medical exemptions.

This prompted the local government in Victoria, the state that plays the Open, to say it did not support Djokovic’s request, placing his fate in the hands of the federal government and Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, told Serbian media that his son was only waiting in an airport room under an armed guard to decide whether he could enter the country once and for all.

Morrison has had a tremendous reaction from his government to give Djokovic a medical vaccination exemption to play in the Open, where the player would get the record for the 21st major title.

Australia, especially Victoria, has suffered the longest cumulative blockade in the world, and an outbreak of the Omicron variant has sent case numbers to record levels.

Following the reaction, Morrison suggested that Djokovic’s involvement was not an agreement and that the federal government should be satisfied because it is responsible for international borders and visas and was not part of the exemption process.

Morrison said there would be no “special rules” for him in his exception shortly before Djokovic arrived.

“If that evidence isn’t enough, then he won’t be treated differently from anyone else and will be on his next plane home,” Morrison said at a news conference.

VISA BUNGLE

Djokovic embarked on a flight to the Emirates, but when border officials contacted the Victorian government to ask if the state was formally accepting a world number one visa, he said he did not.

“The Federal Government has asked whether we will allow Novak Djokovic to apply for a visa to enter Australia,” said Victorian Sports Minister Jaala Pulford.

“We will not support Novak Djokovic in applying for an individual visa application to take part in the 2022 Australian Open Grand Slam.

“We have always been clear on two points: visa approval is a matter for the Federal Government, and medical exemptions are a matter for doctors.”

It was unclear whether the federal government would allow his entry. The Border Force did not respond to the request for comment.

Tennis Australia and government officials were quick to point out that Djokovic, who said he was against COVID-19 vaccines, had not received preferential treatment.

AUSSIAK ANGRY

The Serb, who previously refused to disclose his vaccination status, has won nine titles at Melbourne Park, including the last three. He confirmed on Tuesday that he had received a vaccination exemption to play in the Australian Open, which starts on 17 January.

The great Australian tennis player Rod Laver, after whom he names the main show in Melbourne Park in Victoria State, warned that Djokovic could endure the hostility of the local crowd.

“I think it can be ugly,” Laver told the News Corp (NASDAQ :). “I’d think the people of Victoria would think, ‘Yeah I’d love to see him play and compete, but at the same time there’s a right path and a wrong path.’

“Yeah, you’re a great player and you’ve done so many tournaments and won so you can’t be physical. So what’s the problem?”

Christine Wharton of Melbourne said it was “embarrassing”.

“We’ve all done the right thing, we’ve all come out and got our jabs and our boosters, and we’ve got someone from abroad and all of a sudden he’s been exempt and can play, and I think it’s overwhelming. Shameless and I won’t see it.”