Australian Open 2021: Political games are clouding Novak Djokovic debate, writes Marc McGowan

It’s human nature to look for someone to blame, but the argument over Novak Djokovic’s vaccination status has been blown out of control, writes Marc McGowan.

Looking for someone to blame, make an example of, or direct anger at is human nature.

It’s happening again with nine-time Australian Open champion and world No.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic, who is an easy target of people hunting for cheap point-scoring.

Djokovic might already be the sport’s greatest of all-time but there’s also a huge disparity in his public perception.

His followers are some of the most ardent in any field – sport, politics, anything – yet his critics are in no doubt he’s a villain.

Maybe it’s because he has alternative views, maybe it’s because he can be demonstrative on court or maybe it’s just that Roger Federer’s fans are threatened by him.

Then there is Djokovic’s refusal to reveal his Covid-19 vaccination status and therefore his participation at Melbourne Park.

It’s the perfect cocktail for him to become a political pawn.

It remains unclear whether Novak Djokovic will compete at the Australian Open.

While being careful not to name Djokovic specifically, Victorian Premier Dan Andrews suggested this week that Tennis Australia could have the final say on medical exemptions for global tennis stars.

It was a thinly veiled shot at not only Djokovic but the thoroughness of the exemption process. He added that some exemptions were “granted in very questionable circumstances”.

Andrews made clear he wasn’t in charge of the process. Do we ever know who’s in charge?

His idea came only hours after Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley distanced the tournament and TA from medical exemptions.

There’s no fence sitting in the Djokovic vs Federer debate.

As opposed to Andrews, Tiley tried to add validity to the independent process: “It’s very specific as to what is eligible or not, and then that goes through to that expert panel and they’ll make a call.”

Tiley also explained the panel of specialists was not privy to the identity of exemption applications.

But the outraged sceptics are out in force, assuming Djokovic will receive a free pass on his name (and I can’t even go to the shops!).

World No.1 Novak Djokovic could win a 10th Australian Open title in January. Picture: AFP

There is just enough uncertainty about the Serbian superstar’s plans that speculation and pseudo facts are rife, including, but not restricted to, reporting of ‘loopholes’ and exemptions.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison weighed in, too, saying Djokovic wouldn’t receive any special treatment. The story just keeps growing legs, and the political flexing is out of control.

Former Australian Open tournament director and tennis great Paul McNamee described the medical exemption talk as “a fantasy of the media”.

As already mentioned, there’s rarely middle ground in any Djokovic discussion – and it’s possible we will never know what he’s been up to, if anything, even if he ends up competing in Melbourne.

Djokovic certainly won’t be pressured into spilling the beans.

The vaccine mandate and the Andrews government’s ongoing handling of the Covid-19 pandemic remain divisive topics.

Almost as divisive as Djokovic, you might say.

DAN: TA COULD HAVE FINAL SAY ON HEALTH EXEMPTIONS

Marc McGowan and Kieran Rooney

Tennis stars looking to avoid vaccine requirements with a loophole could have any potential medical exemption reviewed by Tennis Australia to ensure it was legitimate, Premier Daniel Andrews has flagged.

It comes amid speculation Novak Djokovic could still attend the Australian Open by avoiding restrictions that require him to show his medical information.

Mr Andrews said he was not in charge of the process that allows players avoiding mandates to enter the country without quarantine, but warned any exemptions would likely come under question if they were not valid.

“What I can say is that you guys (the media) have reported a lot on some exemptions that have been granted in very questionable circumstances,” he said.

“The second point I’d make is that I’m briefed that Tennis Australia are looking very, very closely, about whether they might put in place a review mechanism, with, for instance, a panel of medical experts to review any exemptions that were granted.

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“If someone gets an exemption then I have very few options at that point.

“But if Tennis Australia goes down the review process to check that all exemptions, I’m not going to comment on any individual, but any exemptions were appropriate then I think that would be a very good step for them to take.”

Mr Andrews maintained that everyone sitting on centre court will have to be double jabbed.

“We have to have confidence in these arrangements and it’s why you weren’t going to see me applying for an exemption which is essentially a giant rubber stamp,” he said.

“This is an interesting approach and the integrity of these arrangements, Tennis Australia I think are well alive to the fact that they have a role in protecting the integrity of all these arrangements.”

Novak Djokovic could be vying for history in Melbourne.

TILEY UNAWARE OF REASONS FOR DJOKOVIC EXEMPTION

Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open playing status remains unclear, with tournament director Craig Tiley unaware of any condition that may grant him a medical exemption.

The world No. 1, who could win a record-breaking 21st grand slam title if he makes the trip to Melbourne, has steadfastly refused to reveal whether he is vaccinated against Covid-19.

Anyone planning to compete at next month’s Australian Open must be fully vaccinated or receive a medical exemption, which Tiley said was rare.

Djokovic is on the entry lists for both the ATP Cup in Sydney and the Melbourne Park grand slam, but all that confirms is he has not withdrawn yet.

“To be clear upfront, no one can play the Australian Open unless they are vaccinated, on either a double dose of all the required vaccines or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson, which also is an approved vaccine,” Tiley told ABC.

Australian Open boss Craig Tiley (right) is unaware of any medical condition that may grant world No. 1 Novak Djokovic a vaccine exemption. Picture: Getty Images

“The only condition at which, outside of being vaccinated, that you could compete is if you receive a medically approved exemption from Australian authorities, specifically against the very specific ATAGI guidelines.

“It’s very clear — there’s no loophole — and there’s no condition of which you can play the Australian Open unless you meet that criteria.

“What was published yesterday was a general entry list and, as a matter of course, everyone goes on the entry list.

“It’s not a commitment list about exactly who’s in the draw. That comes in several weeks’ time when the actual list and draw gets finalised for the Australian Open.”

An independent panel of medical specialists assesses all medical exemption requests and Tiley said they didn’t know the identity of anyone who applied.

“It’s very specific as to what is eligible or not, and then that goes through to that expert panel and they’ll make a call, so at this point it’s in the process of being established,” he said.

Novak Djokovic could move into the outright men’s grand slam singles titles lead if he competes at next month’s Australian Open. Picture: Getty Images

“I’ve seen reports this morning. There’s been no medical exemptions that have been granted at this point.”

Tiley would not be drawn on whether a professional athlete such as Djokovic should be considered for a medical exemption, if that was a path he was considering.

“International tennis players (must abide by) exactly the same conditions as everyone coming into Victoria and coming into Australia,” he said.

“There’s no benefit provided to any one of them, on any condition and in any circumstance — and that’s been made clear to the tennis players from the beginning.

“In fact, we now are in a position where only six weeks ago only 50 per cent of the tennis playing group globally were vaccinated and now it’s more than 95 per cent.

“That in itself is a significant improvement and the majority of them wanting to play need to be vaccinated.”

Originally published as Australian Open 2021: Political games are clouding Novak Djokovic debate, writes Marc McGowan