Australian Prime Minister on Novak Djokovic: “The rules are the rules and there are no special cases”

The border authorities of Australia canceled the entry visa to the country of Novak Djokovic, hours after the world number 1 was retained upon arrival in Melbourne, a fact that was considered as “mistreatment” by the Serbian president, but that was endorsed by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. If he is finally deported, the Serbian tennis player would be left without the possibility of playing, as of January 17, the Australian Open, where he was looking for his 10th title and breaking the Grand Slams record that he now shares with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal ( all three with 20).

The Serbian, who in the past was reluctant to be vaccinated against the coronavirus covid-19 and he has repeatedly refused to confirm whether he was inoculated, he had obtained a “medical derogation” to be able to participate in the first Grand Slam of the season, a tournament he has won nine times.

This It provoked the rejection of the press, the population and even the Australian political class, who accused those responsible for treating the Serbian in favor.

“Mr. Djokovic did not provide adequate evidence to meet Australia entry requirements and his visa was canceled,” the Australian Border Force announced in a statement.

“Non-citizens who do not have a valid entry visa or whose visa has been canceled will be detained and expelled from Australia“Added the border authorities.

The tennis player was held at the airport overnight, but was transferred with the rest of his team early Thursday. It is not clear if he will be deported during the day or if he will be held in quarantine during a possible legal battle against the cancellation of the visa.

Several Australian local media assure that the lawyers of Djokovic they will try to reverse the decision.

“The rules are the rules”

The Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, defended that the strict border control of the country had been vital to maintain a low balance of deaths due to the covid-19.

“There are no special cases. The rules are the rules, especially when it comes to our borders (…) No one is above the rules ”, he assured Morrison, which had previously warned that if the Serbian did not justify the exemption received, he would be “on the next plane back” home.

Interior Minister Karen Andrews said the government was not planning to offer “any apology” for protecting the border.

The decision to authorize the entry of Djokovic had sparked outrage in Australia, whose residents have been subjected to significant border restrictions, lockdowns and closures for much of the past two years.

Doctor Stephen Parnis, former vice president of the Australian Medical Association, said the decision sends a negative message to people fighting the spread of COVID-19.

“I don’t care how good a tennis player he is. If he refuses to be vaccinated, he should not be allowed in “Parnis said on Twitter.

Djokovic voiced opposition to the coronavirus vaccine in April 2020, when it was raised that it might be mandatory to resume tournaments.

“Personally I am not provaccine,” Djokovic declared then. “I do not want someone to force me to be vaccinated to travel.”

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