Any decision to waive Novak Djokovic’s three-year ban from entering Australia would be a ‘slap in the face’ for many people, according to the country’s former minister of Home Affairs.
Karen Andrews, who is now an opposition lawmaker, spoke out against any decision to allow the 21-time Grand Slam to play in next year’s Australian Open which he has won more times than any other male player in history.
Djokovic was deported from the region earlier this year following a high-profile legal dispute over the legitimacy of his visa. The Serbian argued that he had received a medical exemption from Tennis Australia due to being unvaccinated against COVID-19 which allowed him into the country but border officials deemed that reason to be insufficient. The tennis star had to stay in an immigration hotel before winning a court hearing which ruled in his favour regarding how the handling of his visa case was dealt with.
However, he faced a second legal hearing less than a week later which resulted in the court backing the Australian government which decided to deport Djokovic. An action which also results in a three-year ban from returning.
Since the dispute, there has been a change in government and the new administration is reportedly more open to the idea of relaxing Djokovic’s current ban for him to play in the Grand Slam. Something which has been criticized by Andrews.
“There would have been other people in similar circumstances that have also had their visas cancelled,” Reuters quoted Andrews as saying on ABC Radio.
“So if immigration now chooses to make a special allowance for Novak Djokovic the obvious question is what are they going to do about anyone else who may be in similar circumstances?”
The former minister goes on to say that a decision in Djokovic’s favour would be a ‘slap in the face’ for those who have been vaccinated. Djokovic has previously expressed reservations about having the injection due to uncertainty over the impact it may have on his body. Even though the vaccination has been given medical approval from the World Health Organization (WHO).
“(Why should) Novak Djokovic be allowed back into the country simply because he’s a high-ranking tennis player with many millions of dollars?” she added.
“It shouldn’t be just one rule for (him) and a different rule for everyone else.”
Last week the Australian Open tournament director, Craig Tiley, hinted that he expected that the former world No.1 will be allowed to play. Speaking to reporters during a Melbourne Victory luncheon, he said ‘I think it’s a very different environment with people travelling around the world and we hope to have all the best players here in January.’
The ultimate decision on Djokovic’s attendance will be made by the Australian government with the Premier of Victoria (the state where the Australian Open takes place) confirming he will follow whatever is decided.
It is unclear when Djokovic will know his fate but most tennis players travel to the region during the first week of January to adjust to the conditions.
The 2023 Australian Open will get underway on January 16th.
