The Australian government rejected a request to sponsor Novak Djokovic’s visa Tuesday night as the tennis star was on his way to compete in the Australian Open.
Upon Djokovic’s arrival, he was quizzed by Border Force officials at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport regarding whether he had sufficient evidence to support his vaccination exemption, according to the Age. Djokovic’s visa reportedly lacked the proper classification for permitting medical exemptions for being unvaccinated.
Acting Sports Minister Jaala Pulford confirmed on Twitter that the Victorian State Government declined to support Djokovic’s entry.
We’ve always been clear on two points: visa approvals are a matter for the Federal Government, and medical exemptions are a matter for doctors.
2/2
— Jaala Pulford MP (@JaalaPulford) January 5, 2022
“We will not be providing Novak Djokovic with individual visa application support to participate in the 2022 Australian Open Grand Slam,” Pulford said in a tweet. “We’ve always been clear on two points: visa approvals are a matter for the federal government, and medical exemptions are a matter for doctors.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that Djokovic must provide sufficient documentation.
“If that evidence is insufficient, then he won’t be treated any different to anyone else and will be on the next plane home — there should be no special rules for Novak Djokovic,” Morrison said.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said on Wednesday in a statement that allowances may be made by organizations and states, but border entrance is left to the federal government.
“While the Victorian government and Tennis Australia may permit a non-vaccinated player to compete in the Australian Open, it is the Commonwealth government that will enforce our requirements at the Australian border,” Andrews said.
Australian Open Director Craig Tiley, along with Pulford, stand by the rigorous exemption application process.
“Djokovic applied for a medical exemption, which was granted following a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels of medical experts,” the Australian Open said in a statement. “One of those was the Independent Medical Exemption Review Panel appointed by the Victorian Department of Health. They assessed all applications to see if they met the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ATAGI) guidelines.”
Victoria’s Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Jaala Pulford has reaffirmed that Novak Djokovic was not given any special treatment, after he was granted a controversial medical exemption to compete in the #AusOpen.
MORE: https://t.co/Lk2wrhRYVA #9News pic.twitter.com/Q1jCDk6g37
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) January 5, 2022
Djokovic’s exemption is the only exemption to be publicized to date, but he is among “a handful” of players and officials who received exemptions out of 26 applications, according to Tiley.
The nine-time Australian Open winner, who has previously declined to reveal his vaccination status, announced via social media Tuesday that he had received an exemption and would be competing.
It is unclear at this time whether Djokovic will be allowed to compete and defend his Australian Open title. Djokovic has won the last three tournaments and is in a three-way tie with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the most career major victories with 20.
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The Australian Open will be held in Melbourne from Jan. 17-30.
