Australian PM warns Djokovic ‘won’t be treated any different to anyone else’
Australian PM has warned Djokovic!
The development comes as the World no 1, the Serbian tennis star is due to arrive in Melbourne tonight to defend his Grand Slam title.
Happy New Year! Wishing you all health, love & joy in every moment & may you feel love & respect towards all beings on this wonderful planet.
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 4, 2022
I’ve spent fantastic quality time with loved ones over break & today I’m heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let’s go 2022! pic.twitter.com/e688iSO2d4
However, 24 hours after his announcement that he had received an exemption to play in the tournament and was heading to Australia.
Following his announcement, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned that Djokovic ‘won’t be treated any different to anyone else’.
Djokovic will be banned from entering Australia if evidence of his medical exemption from the Covid-19 vaccine is deemed ‘insufficient’, the PM stated.
“There should be no special rules for Novak Djokovic at all. None whatsoever… We await his presentation and what evidence he provides us to support that,” PM Morrison told a media conference on Wednesday.
Novak Djokovic will be "on the next plane home" if he is unable to provide "acceptable proof" for a COVID vaccination exemption to play at the Australian Open, the country's prime minister has warned.https://t.co/4mPb75dCHi pic.twitter.com/XuFSiTlqwM
— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 5, 2022
Tennis Australia and the Victorian state government said Djokovic was one of a ‘handful’ of successful applicants among 26 people who sought exemptions from being vaccinated but had not received any special treatment in the anonymous application process.
Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open vaccine exemption ignites backlash
The decision has sparked sharp criticism in Australia, where more than 90 percent of over-16 have received their double doses of COVID vaccination, with fans threatening to boycott the annual tournament over the perceived special treatment of the nine-time champion.
There are 1000s of people – fully vaccinated – who haven’t been able to get to see family members and loved ones in Australia because of travel restrictions still in place. But someone who refuses the vaccine is granted an exemption. Odd messaging. #Djokovic https://t.co/t3Gx1hOpXb
— Jon Sopel (@jonsopel) January 4, 2022
Novak Djokovic receives an exemption to compete in the Australian Open unvaccinated.
— Stephen Quartermain (@Quartermain10) January 4, 2022
Gee. That’s a shock!
Not!
BOYCOTT the Australian Open after unvaccinated World No1 Novak Djokovic given unfair magical medical pass Which is just code for cheat.
— Really. (@4horsefuture) January 5, 2022
Australia's exemption for Novak Djokovic to play elite tennis proves that the they are not really concerned about Covid, just controlling, manipulating & gaslighting ordinary people for the implementation of Chinese Communist Party style digital identity.https://t.co/Gzu7bBqnDm
— David Kurten (@davidkurten) January 5, 2022
‼️BREAKING: The Australian Open has withdrawn from Covid-19 after testing positive for Novak Djokovic😱 pic.twitter.com/58GCrocH7O
— Seb (afk) (@BibisDropShot) December 29, 2021
To all the whinging Aussie Covidians who’ve willingly accepted their subjugation and incarceration: Direct your righteous anger at the people who make the ludicrous rules rather than those who bend or break them. It’s pathetic to witness. #Djokovic
— Lord of Adders Black (@LeAdderNoire) January 5, 2022
Such a slap in the face to the Australian people to allow #Djokovic a vaccine exemption after what so many people endured here over the past two years. Australians weren’t even allowed to come home from overseas but apparently if you’re rich and famous, the rules don’t apply
— tahlia (@TajHope) January 4, 2022
