‘It would have been better if Novak Djokovic never came,’ Jim Courier believes visa controversy was a loss for all parties involved

‘It would have been better if Novak Djokovic never came,’ Jim Courier believes visa controversy was a loss for all parties involved

Jim Courier, Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic was the talk in the tennis community for the events that unfolded after his arrival in Melbourne, two weeks ago. The Serbian’s visa was cancelled by the Australian Border Forces, but he won his first appeal in court.

However, the Minister of Immigration, Alex Hawke used his special power to re-cancel the Serb’s visa. However, this time the decision was not upheld in the court. The entire controversy was not a positive development for tennis, as it cast serious doubt on the handling by all the parties involved.

Jim Courier, four time Grandslam champion believes the situation was an absolute mess, and the complete details are still not known. Courier added that there are several facts to be known still, which will need some enquiry.

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The former American tennis player questions the entire saga, right from Djokovic’s paperwork being approved in Dubai. “I think there’s still cards to fall, as to finding out a little bit more. [We still don’t know exactly] the details of which part of the government knew what,” said Courier on Channel Nine, as quoted by Tennis Head.

“And how in the heck is he in the airport in Dubai and they approve his paperwork? I was in the airport in [Los Angeles with] stacks of paper [inches thick] to get in, and I’m fully vaccinated,” he added.

Jim Courier delivers an honest opinion on Novak Djokovic visa situation

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

Jim Courier opined that it would have been better for all parties involved and Novak Djokovic himself, if the Serbian had not come to Australia in the first place. The American believes that entire situation resulted in a loss for all parties involved, including Tennis Australia and the Government.

“There’s obviously been some errors made here but ultimately, everyone that’s involved in this has lost, everyone. It would have been so much better if Djokovic had never come here for him, for sure, for tennis and for the government, frankly. It’s just not been a pretty story,” said Courier.

According to the reported letter sent out by ATP, players must be mandatorily vaccinated to compete at French Open 2022. This leaves Novak Djokovic with no option but to get the vaccine if he is to continue his bid for a record 21st major title.

However, speaking of what happened at the Australian Open 2022, it was surely not what we as fans want in the future. The entire saga went a bit too far, and with the someone like the stature of Novak Djokovic involved in it, we can only hope that it does not get repeated.

Also Read: WATCH: ‘Not Djokoing!’ Novak Djokovic Roasted on a Billboard in Australia!