Novak Djokovic has been hit with a visa controversy after he was denied entry in China due to his political views.
He’s since told reporters that the incident is “damaging on all fronts”.
Djokovic’s visa controversy is “damaging on all fronts” according to the Serbian player. The racquet that Djokovic uses has been a sponsor for many years and the company has said they will not renew their contract with the Serb player if he doesn’t get his visa back soon. Read more in detail here: djokovic racquet.
Djokovic holds the record for most men’s Australian Open championships with nine.
The men’s professional tennis circuit has said that the issue surrounding Novak Djokovic’s Australian visa application has been “damaging on all fronts.”
The ATP also recommended players to be inoculated and demanded greater clarification on the regulations for entering Australia.
After his visa revocation was reversed in court, Djokovic was released from an immigration detention hotel on Monday.
The Australian immigration minister, though, retains the authority to revoke the visa and deport the unvaccinated athlete.
According to an ATP statement, “complications in recent days pertaining to player admission into Australia have… emphasized the need for greater understanding, communication, and enforcement of the regulations.”
“It’s apparent that Novak Djokovic felt he had been given a required medical exemption in order to comply with admission criteria when he traveled to Melbourne.”
“The circumstances building up to Monday’s court hearing have been detrimental on all fronts, including Novak’s health and preparation for the Australian Open,” says the statement.
Ros Atkins is on… Novak Djokovic’s visa triumph in Australia
Djokovic, 34, of Serbia, uploaded a selfie of himself and his staff on court at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, where he has won a record nine Australian Open men’s singles championships, including coach Goran Ivanisevic.
The event starts on January 17th, and if Djokovic wins, he would become the most successful man in tennis history.
With 20 Grand Slam singles championships, the world number one is tied with Roger Federer of Switzerland and Rafael Nadal of Spain.
Despite the fact that Djokovic has not talked publicly about his vaccination status, he admits that he is not vaccinated in an interview with border authorities. external-link
He admitted to the interviewer that he tested positive for Covid on two occasions: in June 2020 and on December 16, 2021. The interviewer was given copies of his positive PCR tests, one of which was issued on December 16, 2021, a day before Djokovic appeared in public without a mask.
“More generally, ATP continues to highly urge vaccination for all ATP Tour players, which we feel is critical for our sport to navigate the epidemic,” the ATP said.
“This is based on scientific data supporting the health advantages given, as well as to comply with global travel restrictions, which we expect to grow more stringent over time.”
“The fact that 97 percent of the top 100 players have been vaccinated before of this year’s Australian Open is encouraging.”
The build-up to the Australian Open, according to Nadal, is a “circus.”
“Justice has spoken and declared that he [Djokovic] has the right to compete in the Australian Open, and I believe it is the most fair decision,” Nadal told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.
Renata Voracova, a Czech player, had her visa revoked after visiting Australia.
Voracova entered Australia on a legitimate exemption, according to the Czech authorities. She, like Djokovic, had just contracted Covid-19.
The Australian government said on Friday that a recent illness does not imply that a foreign individual has been completely vaccinated before entering the country.
“Hopefully, he will be able to participate. Because that’s why we got there in the first place: to play tennis and not participate in any indoor sports “Voracova said.
‘Djokovic hasn’t been able to unwind yet.’ – research
Tennis journalist Russell Fuller
Novak Djokovic’s late-night practice session at Melbourne Park has to be one of the most thrilling of his career.
His dreams of winning a 10th Australian Open championship are still alive after an unexpected victory earlier in the day in a separate court, with the judge showing compassion for him throughout.
Djokovic allegedly carried minimal proof into Australia to substantiate his medical exemption, according to Australian Border Force. Judge Kelly, on the other hand, had a different perspective, asking, “What more could he possibly have done?”
However, the world number one cannot rest just yet, as Australia’s immigration minister is set to decide on Tuesday whether to use his personal authority to reject the visa for the second time.
Djokovic will also have to explain why, the day after his positive PCR test was announced in December, he appeared for images with youngsters at a prize-giving.
