‘This is a political game!’ Serbian footballer comes out in support of Novak Djokovic, questions Rafael Nadal’s entry into Australia
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Novak Djokovic, Milos Ninkovic and Rafael Nadal
The ongoing Novak Djokovic visa fiasco in Australia has been the talk of the town since the last week. Tennis Australia announced a month ago that only vaccinated players will be allowed to play the 2022 Australian Open. While 97% of the top 100 players on the ATP tour are vaccinated, a few players including the World No.1 Novak Djokovic are yet to get shot.
While there was a lot of suspense on Djokovic’s participation, he announced a few days back that he’ll be competing at the Australian Open courtesy a medical exemption. This went south on Djokovic’s arrival in Melbourne when he was detained on the airport for nine hours. His visa was cancelled and hence he decided to appeal for the same in judicial court.
Djokovic eventually won the case on Monday and was declared a ‘free man’ by the judge. Recently, Serbian footballer Milos Ninkovic came in support of Djokovic. Ninkovic, who plays for Sydney FC, spoke highly of Djokovic in an interview and said that he’s been wronged.
Ninkovic pointed out that many tennis players have received an exemption on medical accounts but all the unjust spotlight is on Djokovic. “Many tennis players received an exemption based on medical documentation, and only Novak was imprisoned,” Ninkovic said.
He also added that media shapes their agenda in Australia as it suits them and many people form an opinion on that basis. He also mentioned that Djokovic had all the necessary documentation.
“However, here, in this country (Australia), the vast majority of people form their opinion on the basis of the media and what is served to them on TV. Most of them think that this has nothing to do with politics and that Novak wanted to enter Australia by force. And that’s funny …. Novak had all the necessary documentation,” he added.
Ninkovic accuses Nadal of breaking rules
Ninkovic also explained the COVID-related entry rules for Australia. He said that if a person has tested positive for COVID, he or she can’t enter the country for the next 14 days. He further accused 20-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal or breaking the same rule.
“If you are an Australian citizen and you are not in the country, and you have COVID-19 in another country, you cannot enter Australia for the next 14 days. This applies to Australian citizens, but also to everyone else. No one asked the question … I remember Nadal announcing that he was infected on December 20 or 19 … and he entered Australia on December 30 or 31,” Ninkovic said. “Less than two weeks have passed.”
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Lakshya Chopra
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