Actually, he requested and was granted an exemption because he had covid and recovered. They changed their mind and he appealed and again was granted an exemption, but again they overruled it. They said that while they agreed that he was not likely to get or transmit covid, they couldn’t have the peasants thinking for themselves. (obviously not a quote, but that’s the meaning)
“(obviously not a quote, but that’s the meaning)”
Don’t try to make too much of this. I think with some pressure applied by the Tennis Association, possibly bribery with how much money the state could earn if he was allowed to compete to try to ignore the existing policy of required shots prior to entering by their federal government, the Victorian state government pulled some strings to get him a visa and a medical exemption, which is way out of line from the fed rules, from the Victorian state where he landed. The original visa did not come from the federal government which had months previously establish the expected rules for entering as totally vaxxed.
So when he, the tennis association and the state, were caught by the feds ignoring their rules, he was shut down by the border patrol. And when the federal government, that was being pressured, gave him an appeal, they chose to release him until the court re-convened. (They didn’t have to) And when the court did he was denied entry based upon the rules established by the federal government last October. One other player was deported for the same reason and another left without arguing. None of them were supposed to be there by federal law. It’s just that simple. The country belongs to Australia. They make the rules.
And his complaining about being denied entry has a further effect of his future play in the country.
“Deportation could result in sanctions ranging up to a three-year ban from entering Australia, a daunting prospect for a player who has won almost half of his 20 Grand Slam singles titles here.”
HJe had two choices, do what was expected of him bny the government, or not go to the tournament. He chose neither.
“...granted an exemption because he had covid and recovered.”
And that’s a major problem. Was he? He and his wife had it in June 2020 and December last year. He was not tested, so how can anyone know if he had it again or got over the second time around? He has a history of not isolating with the illness nor admitting it. On the form, Djokovic said he had not traveled in the 14 days before his flight to Australia, despite being seen in Spain and Serbia in that period. You’re defending a liar.
wy69