Djokovic Facing Deportation After Australia Cancels Visa
Australia said on Thursday that it will deport tennis world number one Novak Djokovic, claiming the vaccine-skeptic Serb could not fulfill severe pandemic admission conditions.
Djokovic was unable to provide proof of double vaccination or a medical exemption when he arrived in Australia to defend his Australian Open title, conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison claimed.
“No one is above these rules,” the PM said.
“Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant.”
The 34-year-old has previously declined to disclose his vaccination status publicly but has expressed aversion to getting vaccinated. He was at least once infected with Covid.
Despite Australia’s strict Covid and vaccination regulations, he went to Melbourne, claiming on social media that he had been granted an exemption to compete in the Australian Open, which starts on January 17.
All competitors in the Grand Slam’s first event in 2022 must be vaccinated against Covid-19 or have a medical exemption.
