Australian Open: Djokovic to be sent home if COVID vaccine proof insufficient

Scott
Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia, is among the many Australians who
reacted angrily after Novak Djokovic has been exempted from the Australian
Open’s vaccination rule and allowed to participate in the year’s first grand
slam tournament in Melbourne. Djokovic is allowed to play at Melbourne Park
after the Victoria government decided to exempt the tennis champion from the
existing COVID-19 rules effective in the state.

Also Read: Novak Djokovic given medical exemption to play at Australian Open

The
Melbourne Park organisers had earlier said that disclosing vaccination status is
mandatory to participate in the Australian Open but defending champion Djokovic
refused to reveal his vaccination status. 

PM Morrison
said if the player’s evidence was insufficient he would be on the “next
plane home”.

Also Read: Nick Kyrgios ruled out of Australian Open despite testing negative for COVID-19

Organisers,
however, said Djokovic has not been given special treatment, but the decision
has infuriated many Australians. The country is seeing tens of thousands of
COVID-19 cases for the first time after enduring some of the world’s strictest
restrictions.

Over 90% of
Australia’s over-16 population is fully vaccinated, but some people still
cannot travel interstate or globally because of current measures to curb the
spread of the virus.

Also Read: ATP Cup: Daniil Medvedev suffers shock defeat against Ugo Humbert

Amid the
controversy, Morrison said the Serbian player would be required to present
evidence upon arrival at the airport to prove his vaccination status. The
Australian Open begins on 17 January in Melbourne.

“If
that evidence is insufficient, then he won’t be treated any different to anyone
else,” the prime minister told reporters. “There should be no special
rules for Novak Djokovic at all. None whatsoever.”

Also Read: Novak Djokovic willing to play in Australian Open 2022

Australians
are angry

Many
Australians had previously accused the government of allowing the rich and
famous to enter the country without revealing vaccination status while ordinary
people remained separated from sick and dying loved ones.

“I
think it’s a disgrace,” Melbourne resident Christine Wharton told ABC.
“We’ve all done the right thing, we’ve all gone out and got our jabs and
our boosters and we have someone that has come from overseas and all of a
sudden he’s been exempt and can play.”

Also Read: Rafael Nadal tests COVID positive after returning from Abu Dhabi to Spain

The
decision also raised eyebrows with some other tennis players. “I just
think it’s very interesting. That’s all I’m going to say,” Australian Alex
de Minaur said.

“I
think if it was me that wasn’t vaccinated I wouldn’t be getting an exemption.
You know, but well done to him for getting clear to come to Australia and
compete, Britain’s Jamie Murray added.