Sam Groth: The Australian Open will probably be better if Novak Djokovic doesn’t play

There is no denying that Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest of all time but for this year, perhaps the grand slam will be better off without him. He’s obviously not wanted, writes Sam Groth

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more ridiculous, it did.

Waking up to news that the world No 1 tennis player had not only been detained at the airport by border officials but had his visa denied and was facing deportation – it was a movie script not real life.

Watch Tennis Live with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. Live Coverage of ATP + WTA Tour Tournaments including Every Finals Match. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial >

In the last two years our country has become too familiar with how complex Australia’s state and Federal Government set up is and now, in the space of 24 hours, the whole world has become just as confused about it as we are.

We have been talking about whether Novak Djokovic could or would come to Australia for months. How is it that no decision was made until he had been on Australian ground for almost 12 hours?

Why was Novak Djokovic in Australia in the first place? Picture: AFP

We shouldn’t even be discussing whether he should be deported he should never have been put on a plane in the first place.

How on earth did we get to this point?

It’s a terrible look for Australia but the Federal Government has been put in this position by the decision makers for the State government and Tennis Australia.

If the Federal Government did indeed tell Tennis Australia that contracting Covid was not a valid exemption, was that information also passed to the state government and their panel that was handing out the exemptions?

Did Tennis Australia communicate the information to their nominated panel and all players on the tour?

Who tipped Djokovic off about a possible loophole and were all his papers in order when he boarded?

There are so many questions but knowing our leaders they will remain unanswered.

Supporters gather outside Park Hotel where Novak Djokovic was taken, pending his removal from the country. Picture: Getty Images

The Victorian government has a tendency to forget things when it matters.

I wonder who is going to be hung out to dry for this in the end.

Two days ago the state government said their panel had conducted extensive reviews for anonymous exemptions. They said they followed all guidelines. They took ownership of the exemption.

But now we’re told they and Tennis Australia issued an exemption which apparently isn’t legal.

So they have told people they are exempt when they don’t have the right to.

What a mess.

No one is taking responsibility, everyone throwing someone else under the bus and some are just deafeningly silent or noticeably absent.

It’s always the same with this government, no accountability. It’s infuriating.

As for Djokovic, I’m hearing player opinions on him are softening after the latest events.

Novak Djokovic supporter Slobovich Bendjo at Melbourne Airport in the early hours of Thursday morning. Picture: Nicole Cleary

He’s by no means unpopular on the tour but clearly most don’t agree with his stance on certain things. He’s had a few come out and support him publicly but I think the majority silence is somewhat telling.

To be honest I actually think him missing the Australian Open will be good for the event. Sure he’s one of the greatest of all time but it’s evident he wasn’t wanted here.

I don’t think he will be sorely missed.

As for me, I don’t have much sympathy for him. The way he went about this was all wrong. He tried to take advantage of a loophole and got caught out. He preached that he wanted his medical information private but came out and spoke of an exemption. He lit the flame.

He’s come to Australia unwilling to do what over 90 per cent of us have done in order to go about our “Covid normal” lives. We get told every week to get vaccinated or to get a booster. Why should we have even contemplated letting this guy in?

People are giving up their livelihoods because of these mandates but we want to give this guy a free pass and a shot at winning millions of dollars?

It was all wrong from the start, but it should never have come to this.

Originally published as Sam Groth: The Australian Open will probably be better if Novak Djokovic doesn’t play