Picture Credit: Twitter
The world is facing the deadly challenges of COVID-19. Amidst this, once the players, support staff and the sporting world got their dose of vaccination, the sports saw the return of crowds, spectators and players return to the field. However, some players still contracted the virus, matches remained cancelled, postponed or rescheduled to another date. World Number one Tennis player Novak Djokovic chose not to reveal to the world whether he has taken the vaccination against the deadly COVID-19. However, the player received a medical exemption and was able to travel to Melbourne to feature in the Australian Open that is scheduled to begin on 17th January 2022. Djokovic took to Instagram and posted about his participation with the world.
In rather shocking news now, the tennis star, who was supposed to be on his way to a Melbourne hotel, was issued a letter by the Australian government saying his visa had been denied and he would be deported from the country. Right after his flight, Djokovic was taken into an isolation room under police guard when Australian officials said his visa did not allow for medical exemptions.
This decision by the Australian officers has unfortunately led to pointing fingers at different officials. The move by the Australian government threatened to cause a diplomatic incident between Canberra and Belgrade and fetched reactions from the political heads of both countries. However, to reassure the World Number one Tennis Player, Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic posted on Instagram. “I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him and that our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world’s best tennis player is brought to an end immediately. In line with all norms of international law, Serbia will fight for Novak, truth and justice. Novak is strong, as we all know.”
There is a mixed reaction from various officials, some believe that the rules cannot bend for Novak. Whilst tennis players from all over the world like Sergiy Stakhovsy and Tennys Sandgren reassure that two medical boards had approved of Djokovic's medical exemption, calling it a clear political interference with sports. Australia’s border force later confirmed his visa had been revoked.