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Novak Djokovic at Dubai Airport on Monday after the Australian Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel his visa
MELBOURNE/DUBAI (REUTERS): World men’s tennis No. 1 Novak Djokovic headed reluctantly home on Monday after being kicked out of Australia because of his COVID-19 unvaccinated status, but the Government left the door open for a possible return to his favourite Grand Slam in 2023.
The 34-year-old Serb, a vaccine sceptic, has won nine of his 20 major titles at the Australian Open.
But instead of beginning his quest for a record 21st Grand Slam at Melbourne Park – to go beyond Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – he was on planes to Dubai, then Belgrade, after being twice detained and then booted out by Australian immigration.
“100%, the Australian Open has lost its value. Whoever wins it now, doesn’t really count. Because Djokovic is the number one. That’s the guy, you need to beat him to win it,” said Alek Drakoo, a member of the local Serbian community, who was at Melbourne Park and had hoped to watch him play.
The Government’s decision was in tune with Australian public opinion because of Djokovic’s stance on inoculation against the new coronavirus, but authorities have been criticised for not resolving the issue before he arrived.
“I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and the tournament I love,” Djokovic said in a statement, expressing disappointment but respect for a court decision against him.
Under Australian law, Djokovic cannot be granted another visa for three years unless the Immigration Minister accepts there are compelling or compassionate reasons.
But Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison hinted there may be a way to allow Djokovic to play next year.
“There is the opportunity for (a person) to return in the right circumstances, and that will be considered at the time,” he told 2GB radio on Monday.
France said Djokovic would be barred from playing the French Open in May as things stand now because of a new vaccine pass law.
“This will apply to everyone who is a spectator or a professional sportsperson,” the ministry said in a statement, adding, however, that the pandemic situation could change by then.
“We’ll see, but clearly there’s no exemption.”
Australia’s Federal Court ruling to uphold the cancellation of Djokovic’s visa – originally granted on a medical exemption as he recently had COVID-19 – dismayed his family and supporters, who portray him as a persecuted underdog.
Djokovic was first detained by immigration authorities on 6 Jan., ordered released by a court on 10 Jan., and then detained again on Saturday before Sunday’s court hearing.
He wore a mask and took selfies with fans as he arrived in Dubai from Melbourne, before taking a terminal buggy to the departure gate for a six-hour flight to Belgrade.
Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic has called the treatment of a national hero “scandalous”.
Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke had said Djokovic could be a threat to public order because his presence would encourage anti-vaccination sentiment.
His case has stoked a passionate global debate over the rights to decline vaccination as authorities around the world push that as the main route out of the two-year-old pandemic.
Spain’s Nadal said he missed his great rival.
“If Novak Djokovic is playing here, it’s better for everybody, no doubt about that,” he told reporters after trouncing American Marcos Giron 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 to sail into the second round.
