“I was not deported on the basis that I was not vaccinated” Novak Djokovic makes SHOCKING REVELATIONS on why was his visa actually cancelled in Australia


“I was not deported on the basis that I was not vaccinated” Novak Djokovic makes SHOCKING REVELATIONS on why was his visa actually cancelled in Australia

Novak Djokovic

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic had one of his worst trips to Australia this year as he was forced to spend 6 of his 10 days in a federal quarantine facility after his visa was cancelled by the Australian government. Novak was not vaccinated against Covid-19 and as the government had made vaccination compulsory, he was not following the rules.

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While the government did create a loophole in the form of having an independent medical committee hand out exemptions, the Serbian’s failure to explain to the immigration officers why he needed the exemption resulted in the entire episode in Australia that ended with the player being deported from the country on the eve of his first-round match at the 2022 Australian Open where he was the 3-time defending champion.

Djokovic also got a 3-year ban from entering the country but there is some relief for the Serbian there as the ban can be revoked anytime. However, the embarrassment for the 9-time Australian Open champion and then the joint-most Grand Slam winner of the sport, it was one of the lowest moments of his career and also the sport in general.

“I understand that there is a lot of criticism, and I understand that people come out with different theories on how lucky I was or how convenient it is. But no one is lucky and convenient of getting Covid. Millions of people have and are still struggling with Covid around the world.

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“So I take this very seriously, I really don’t like someone thinking I’ve mis-used something or in my own favour, in order to, you know, get a positive PCR test and eventually go to Australia,” said Djokovic in an exclusive interview he did with BBC recently where he also talked about his recent stance on vaccination as he now faces possible expulsion from playing many tournaments including the Grand Slams.

“The government thought I might create some anti-vax statement”: Novak Djokovic

Alex Hawke and Novak Djokovic
Alex Hawke and Novak Djokovic

Despite having received the clearance to play in the tournament after the verdict in his case on 10th January, Djokovic was again put on trial in a second case as the Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke cancelled his visa once again using his ministerial power. Djokovic was eventually asked to leave the country on 16th January and the interview with BBC is his first since then.

“I was really sad and disappointed with the way it all ended for me in Australia. It wasn’t easy. Absolutely, the visa declaration error was not deliberately made. It was accepted and confirmed by the Federal Court and the minister himself in the Ministry for Immigration in Australia. So actually, what people probably don’t know is that I was not deported from Australia on the basis that I was not vaccinated, or I broke any rules or that I made an error in my visa declaration.

“All of that was actually approved and validated by the Federal Court of Australia and the Minister for Immigration. The reason why I was deported from Australia was because the Minister for Immigration used his discretion to cancel my visa based on his perception that I might create some anti-vax sentiment in the country or in the city, which I completely disagree with,” added Djokovic further explaining what actually happened Down Under during his stressful stay.

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With Djokovic clearing up many aspects of the episode in Australia, a new perspective has certainly developed in the entire situation that remains a black spot on the sport. However, the Serbian is undeterred to get vaccinated and is ready to miss the tournaments, staying firm on his stand to remain unvaccinated for personal reasons.

Also Read: “Unlike the problems in Australia, it should be fine here” Novak Djokovic confirmed for THIS clay tournament ahead of the 2022 French Open