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Post by Admin on Jan 16, 2022 19:01:51 GMT
Novak Djokovic's lawyers are appealing to a federal court in Australia, to try to overturn a Government decision, to cancel his visa for a second time over covid rules.
If they fail, the world number 1, who isn't vaccinated is due to be detained tomorrow and deported.
SOT, Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia (Serbian): "They think that they humiliated Djokovic with this 10-day harassment, but they humiliated themselves and Djokovic can return to his country with his head held high and look everyone in the eyes."
SOT, Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia (Serbian): "They think that they expelled some principles and only showed that they did not have any principles. That you are harassing the world's best tennis player for 10 or 11 days, so that on the 10th, 11th day you handed him a decision that you knew would be handed to him on the first day. And let me repeat: if you had said that someone who has not been vaccinated cannot enter, Novak Djokovic would either not have come or would have been vaccinated. Thus, you left the possibility for medical exceptions and he came and did everything in accordance with that, and then the harassment of unprecedented proportions began. And in terms of media lynching, literally hunting for witches of one person, one country, because, I guess, they wanted to show Novak how the World Order works, literally hunting for witches and how they can do it against everyone."
SOT, Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia (Serbian): "We will welcome Australian athletes in March in a different way, in an incomparably better way, we will not, because of the political elections, harass them and show strength over them or anything like that. They are coming to the athletics championship and we will show that we are better than the Australian government, and I thank the Australian people, because I am sure they love the Serbian people as much as we respect the Australian people."
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Post by Admin on Jan 16, 2022 23:49:57 GMT
Novak Djokovic deported after losing Australia visa battle - BBC News
23,974 views • Jan 17, 2022 • Novak Djokovic has been deported from Australia after losing a last-ditch court bid to stay in the country.
Judges rejected a challenge by the unvaccinated tennis star after the government cancelled his visa on "health and good order" grounds.
Djokovic said he was "extremely disappointed" but accepted the ruling. He has left on a flight to Dubai.
It marks the end of a 10-day saga, in which the Serb fought to stay to defend his title in the Australian Open.
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Post by Admin on Jan 17, 2022 4:23:46 GMT
Novak Djokovic arrived early Monday in Dubai after his deportation from Australia over its COVID-19 vaccination requirement ended the No. 1-ranked men's tennis player's hopes of defending his Australian Open title.
The Emirates plane carrying Djokovic touched down after a 13½-hour flight from Melbourne, where he had argued in court he should be allowed to stay in the country and compete in the tournament under a medical exemption because he had COVID-19 last month.
At Dubai International Airport, arriving passengers wearing mandatory face masks collected their bags and walked out of the cavernous terminal. Over an hour after Djokovic's flight arrived, he had yet to come out of baggage claim as many passengers from his plane already had picked up their bags on the carousel.
It wasn't immediately clear where he planned to travel next. The Dubai Duty Free tennis tournament, which Djokovic won in 2020, doesn't start until Feb. 14.
Dubai, the commercial capital of the United Arab Emirates, doesn't require travelers to be vaccinated, though they must show a negative PCR test to board a flight.
Djokovic has won nine Australian Open titles, including three in a row, and a total of 20 Grand Slam singles trophies, tied with rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the most in the history of men's tennis. Federer is not playing while recovering from injury, and Nadal is the only former Australian Open men's champion in the tournament that began Monday.
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Post by Admin on Jan 17, 2022 13:55:28 GMT
Djokovic heading to Serbia after Australia deportation 2,349 views • Jan 17, 2022 • Former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage weighs in on the controversy surrounding Novak Djokovic's deportation. #FoxNews
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Post by Admin on Jan 17, 2022 22:58:00 GMT
It's another day of bad news for Novak Djokovic. The No. 1-ranked men's singles player might not be allowed to play at the French Open, the next Grand Slam on the schedule, because of his vaccination status.
Djokovic lost his appeal on Sunday to play in the Australian Open, closing a nearly two-week long saga over his unvaccinated status and attempt to enter the country with a visa and exemption. It is the first Grand Slam on the calendar as he chases a 21st Grand Slam victory that would break a tie with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for most men's titles of all-time.
Also on Sunday, the French parliament overwhelmingly approved a law requiring vaccination for anyone at restaurants, sports arenas and other venues. Previously unvaccinated persons were allowed to enter with a valid negative test. That incudes the French Open and the French Sports Ministry confirmed on Monday there would be no exemptions.
French Open up in air for Djokovic The French Sports Ministry confirmed there would be no exemptions to Reuters, but said the overall situation might change before the draw in May. Via Reuters:
"This will apply to everyone who is a spectator or a professional sportsperson. And this until further notice," the ministry said.
"As far as Roland Garros is concerned, it's in May. The situation may change between now and then and we hope it'll be more favourable. So we'll see but clearly there's no exemption."
Australia allowed exemptions as granted by an expert independent panel. Djokovic received initial clearance for a visa, but was detained and the information found to be insufficient. The star appealed to no avail and was deported ahead of Day 1 of the tournament. Australia is experiencing rising cases after two years of strict measures and border restrictions. France is 90% vaccinated.
Alexander Zverev, the No. 3 ranked player in the world appreciated the clear stance from the French Open.
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