Novak Djokovic exemption: Rafael Nadal’s backhander to great rival over Australian Open debacle
One of Novak Djokovic’s greatest rivals has sent a none-too-subtle message to the world No.1, saying how the Serbian superstar could have ensured his spot at the Australian Open.
Rafael Nadal has sent a none-too-subtle message to great rival and world No.1 Novak Djokovic, saying he could have avoided all his troubles if he was vaccinated.
Djokovic is fighting through the court system to remain in the country as he tries to win a 10th Australian Open title and record-breaking 21st grand slam championship overall.
Nadal stopped short of telling Djokovic – who entered Australia with a medical exemption – to get vaccinated, but every other word he spoke sent a clear message.
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One topic the Spanish superstar, who recently recovered from Covid-19, refused to comment on was whether the saga would sully Australia’s and the Australian Open’s reputation.
“We have been going through very challenging (times) and a lot of families have been suffering a lot during the last two years with the pandemic,” Nadal said.
Rafael Nadal's full answer today on Djokovic's situation.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) January 6, 2022
"From my point of view, the only thing that I can say is I believe in what the people who knows about medicine says, and if the people says that we need to get vaccinated, we need to get the vaccine." pic.twitter.com/n9nIjDhcfC
“(It) is normal that the people here in Australia get very frustrated with the (Djokovic) case, because they have been going through a lot of very hard lockdowns and a lot of people were not able to come back home.
“I believe in what the people who know about medicine say and if the people say that we need to get vaccinated, we need to get vaccinated.
“I went through the Covid, I have been vaccinated twice, and if you do this, you don’t have any problem to play here … the world, in my opinion, has been suffering enough to not follow the rules.”
Nadal said the vaccine decision was a personal matter but not doing so invited “troubles”.
“After a lot of people have been dying for two years, my feeling is the vaccine is the only way to stop this pandemic,” he said.
“That’s what the people who understand about this say and I’m no one to have, or to create, a different opinion.”
Nadal only begrudgingly admitted he felt sorry for Djokovic’s hellish experience since landing in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
“If he wanted, he will be playing here in Australia without a problem,” he said.
“He went through another (option, applying for an exemption). He makes his own decisions and everybody is free to make their own decision, but then there are some consequences, no?
“Of course, I don’t like the situation that is happening. In some way, I feel sorry for him, but at the same time, he knew the conditions since a lot of months ago, so he makes his own decision.”
DJOKER’S LOSS COULD BE RUSSIAN’S GAIN
World No.2 Daniil Medvedev admits that he could be one of the big winners in the aftermath of Novak Djokovic’s vaccine saga, provided the divisive World No. 1 is indeed ruled out of the Australian Open.
Djokovic, who is unvaccinated, had his visa torn up on Thursday after it became clear he did not meet the requirements for a medical exemption to enter Australia.
However, the Serbian star is appealing the cancellation in a bid to remain in Melbourne and compete at the Australian Open later this month.
Medvedev lost to Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open last year and, fresh from defeating world No.7 Matteo Berrettini in the group stage at Sydney’s ATP Cup, conceded Djokovic’s loss could be his gain.
“Yeah, if he won’t be there, that’s minus one guy who has 20 slams, and that’s a lot,” he said.
“When somebody straight wins it nine times and he’s not there, the draw opens up a little bit. That’s no secret.”
Medvedev said he wasn’t getting ahead of himself, though.
“The situation is not over yet,” he said. “From what I know, he still could come and compete at the Australian Open depending on how it’s going to evolve.”
Medvedev had previously been coy on his own vaccination status and said he wouldn’t pass judgement on Djokovic without knowing the full story.
“My view on this situation is quite straightforward,” he said.
“There are rules, there are exemptions from rules. I cannot know exactly what happened.
“I have no idea because I’m not inside the situation.
“For me ... if he had a fair exemption from the rule, well he should be here. If he didn’t, he shouldn’t be here. It sounds easy but it seems very tough in real life.
“I don’t know the insides of the story. So that’s why I’m just focusing on myself.”
‘MASSIVE SH*TSHOW’ GRABS GLOBAL ATTENTION
It’s officially a sh*t show.
Novak Djokovic, the medical exemption and now the denied visa. It’s a global sensation and a worldwide embarrassment – according to some.
Former player Rennae Stubbs didn’t miss in her analysis of the situation.
“This is now a sh*t show,” she said on Instagram.
“It’s officially a massive sh*t show.
“Everyone is loving this drama. Right now, Novak has not left the country so we are in this a bit longer until he leaves or goes to a hotel or whatever we aren’t sure yet but.
“He was given a medical exemption, so I’m pretty confused as to why he could get on a plane unless in Serbia they just let him on the plane.
“Wondering if he had the correct paper work on the plane. When he arrived they said he didn’t have the correct paperwork, I think this is political too.
“I think ScoMo made this a moment because the Australian public is so annoyed by Djoker. “This is a bad precedent that has been set. I’m very confused, I am looking forward to Novak’s statement I would say he is f**king pissed right now.
“I would be ropeable if I was him. Also the other lesson is, get vaccinated.”
MAIL: We have lift-off, Britain! #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/8HpDFcN5xT
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 5, 2022
ANTI-VAX WARNING
Tennis will only see more “wild” situations like Novak Djokovic’s, according to vocal anti-vaccine mandate player Tennys Sandgren.
Djokovic has had his Australian visa cancelled and could be forced to fly out of Australia next week.
“Whether they were reluctant (on the mandate) or not, I think people have gone for that,” Sandgren told Nine.
“This is kind of the first situation where we’re running into exemptions and not getting let into the country and it just happened to be the number one player in the world in this situation now and it’s all new.
“It’s all wild. I think we will see more of this this year honestly. Because France and England, you know, the French Open and Wimbledon, they might be in a similar boat as far as requiring a vaccine to get in to be able to play.”
Strong. pic.twitter.com/XuC2RNFZAq
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 6, 2022
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Sandgren, who didn’t apply for an exemption to enter Australia as he did not consider himself to fit the criteria, said Djokovic could expect a “mixed bag” reception should his appeal be successful and entry granted.
“I’m sure there will be people that are upset that there was even an exemption in place and I can see why,” Sandgren said.
“Because maybe that’s not available to everybody this sort of exemption status. But I know some people will be happy to see him play because he’s one of the best ever to pick up a racquet. So it’s always a pleasure to watch him. So I’m sure it will be a mixed bag. A lot of emotions for everybody involved really.
“The international community is all eyes on this event right now.”
TELEGRAPH SPORT: Back in the groove #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/ZReS74iysT
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 5, 2022
GUARDIAN SPORT: Conte Calamity #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/tihvCmixjj
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 5, 2022
‘HOLDING MY SON CAPTIVE’: NOVAK’S FATHER SPEAKS
According to Djokovic’s father Srdjan, his son was “isolated in a room” at the airport without his entourage or mobile phone.
“Novak is currently in a room which no one can enter,” Srdjan Djokovic, told the B92 internet portal. “In front of the room are two policemen.
“I have no idea what is going on.
“They are holding my son captive. If they don’t release him in the next half an hour, we will gather on the street, this is a fight for everyone.”
TIMES: Boost for holidays as travel tests scrapped #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/LT6UU3ouve
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 5, 2022
SERBIAN PRESIDENT CALLS OUT ‘HARASSMENT’
The matter has escalated in the last few hours with Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic now involved.
Shortly after 8am AEDT, Vucic announced he had spoken with Djokovic on the phone and told him:
“Our authorities are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world’s best tennis player is brought to an end immediately.’
MAIL SPORT: â¦@DjokerNoleâ© booted out of Australia #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/Mk9vh1wrwF
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 5, 2022
WHAT THE WORLD’S BIG NAMES ARE SAYING:
Prominent media commentator Piers Morgan has backed Australia’s decision to turf out the tennis ace.
“The Djokovic saga is not about whether you believe in Covid vaccines, but whether you believe famous sports stars should play by the same rules as everyone else,” Morgan wrote.
“He has the right not to be jabbed, and Australia has the right to chuck him out for making a dodgy visa application.”
STAR SPORT: Bring back that Lovin’ Phelan #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/qrslLp2hWl
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 5, 2022
WHY IT WAS REJECTED
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed the visa cancellation following “overview of the exemption provided by the Victorian government process”.
“Essentially, (Border Force) reviewed the exemption process and the material and made requests of Victoria as to whether or not Victoria could validate what they provided, and neither Victoria nor Mr Djokovic could, and so one rule for all, we’ve been very clear, very strong on that,” he told ABC.
EXPRESS SPORT: Djokovic jab chaos #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/QXvXXuturr
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 5, 2022
“The ABF can confirm Mr Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and the visa has been subsequently cancelled.
“That’s been a clear policy of the government to make sure that everybody’s treated equally.“
“Australians in so many cases have to show their own vaccination status in order to enter cafes or other things. It’s not unreasonable that other people have to provide equivalent evidence.
“It is a matter for him whether he wishes to appeal that. But if a visa is cancelled somebody will have to leave the country.”
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