‘Not considered fully vaccinated’: Tennis Australia warned of Novak Djokovic situation in November

The federal government warned TA that players who failed to meet the definition of fully vaccinated would be denied entry.

The federal government advised Tennis Australia that individuals who failed to meet the Australian regulatory body’s definition of fully vaccinated would be denied entry and that having Covid-19 within the last six months was not an exemption.

Tennis world No.1 Novak Djokovic is fighting the cancellation of his visa in court in a bid to play at this month’s Australian Open.

A brief hearing took place in the Federal Circuit and Family Court before Judge Anthony Kelly adjourned the matter to 4pm.

It has emerged that Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt sent a letter to Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley on November 29 detailing policy advice from the Australian Border Force on quarantine free entry into Australia.

Mr Hunt tells Mr Tiley in the letter – obtained by The Australian – that an individual must be fully vaccinated under the definition set by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation to gain quarantine free entry into Australia.

“As detailed in Mr Schofield’s correspondence of 18 November 2021, this means that people who do not meet the ATAGI’s definition of fully vaccinated will not be approved for quarantine-free entry, regardless of whether they have received foreign vaccination exemptions,” said Mr Hunt in the letter.

Mr Hunt then tells Mr Tiley in the letter that an individual who had contracted Covid-19 in the past six months and not received two vaccine doses would not be considered fully vaccinated.

“In relation to your specific questions, I can confirm that people who contracted Covid-19 within the past six months and seek to enter Australia from overseas, and have not received two doses of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved or TGA recognised vaccine … are not considered fully vaccinated.”

The grounds of Djokovic’s purported exemption are unclear but the tennis champion contracted Covid last year.

The federal health department is not an adviser or decision maker on individual cases.

Ziggy Misovic proudly holds the Belgrade flag outside a Melbourne quarantine hotel to protest Australia’s treatment of Novak Djokovic. Picture: Matrix

As news of Djokovic’s looming deportment broke, supporters of the world number one showed up at a quarantine hotel in Melbourne’s inner north to protest his treatment by Australian authorities.

Husband and wife Ziggy and Billy Misovic said the decision to revoke Djokovic’s visa was “ridiculous”.

“He got an exemption, why not let him in?” Mrs Misovic said.

“This is not the first time he has been here. He knows protocol and everything,” she said.

Mr Misovic wore a Belgrave flag around his shoulders and chanted towards the windows of the Park Royal Hotel in Carlton.

“(His vaccination status) is his private matter,” Mr Misovic said.

Ms Misovic said she understood the frustration of Victorians, but said he father died during Covid and she could not visit him because of border closures.

“My father passed away two years ago. He was in Serbia, the borders were closed. So don’t talk about you know, I understand everything,” she said.

Novak Djokovic supporters and the media gather outside a Melbourne quarantine hotel. Picture: Matrix

Both said they were fans of the nine-time Australian Open winner and had followed his career.

Mr Misovic also said he would be returning his Australian Open tickets out of protest.

Another fan, Sandra Milisic, said if there was a problem with his visa, authorities should have dealt with it before Djokovic arrived in Australia.

“So if that was an issue to begin with, they should have just said no to him too, in the beginning,” the 33-year-old said.

“He’s outspoken with not wanting to state his status.”

Ms Milisic joined a group of about six members of the Serbian community outside the Park Hotel on Thursday.

Asked if she though Djokovic had ever stayed in a similar type of accommodation, Ms Milisic said his experience during the Serbian war could have prepared him.

Happy New Year! Wishing you all health, love & joy in every moment & may you feel love & respect towards all beings on this wonderful planet.

I’ve spent fantastic quality time with loved ones over break & today I’m heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let’s go 2022! pic.twitter.com/e688iSO2d4

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 4, 2022

“So this is nothing in terms of (the war). I think he’s going to respect where he’s staying and how he’s being treated and all of that and we just hope that he comes back better and stronger,” she said

“I think that the Serbian community here is so strong, and so supportive and so loving.

“I would understand if he didn’t come back because of the way he has been treated. But I think because of who he is as a person with the charity funds that he runs back home and you know, let’s not forget he was the first player to donate a million dollars for the bushfires. Whereas Scott Morrison was overseas, travelling.”