Didn’t you follow anything in Novak Djokovic‘s Australian soap opera, which just ended this Sunday with the expulsion of the Serbian player from the country on the eve of the start of the Australian Open? Release remakes you the film of this bitterly disputed match, in five sets, finally lost by the world number 1 of tennis.
January 4
Novak Djokovic 1-0 Government of Australia
After weeks of questions about his vaccination status and his ability to compete in the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic announces on social networks that he has obtained a “waiver” from the Australian Tennis Federation to participate in the tournament. He is aiming for a tenth victory and a record 21st Grand Slam crown. Coming from a player who has never hidden his distrust of the vaccine, the message raises an immediate outcry in Australia, where the restrictions to fight against Covid-19 have been particularly strict.
January 5
Novak Djokovic 1-1 Government of Australia
Long line return for the Australian government. Novak Djokovic arrives at Melbourne airport in the evening but finds himself stranded there for not having completed the correct form for the visa requested to enter Australia. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison demands the Serb provide proof that his medical waiver is justified or he will be sacked “home by the first plane”. “The rules are the rules. Especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above the law.” thunders Morrison. Djokovic’s visa is canceled and even if the player has appealed, here is the world number 1 in tennis placed in detention while justice is pronounced.
January 10
Novak Djokovic 2-1 Australian Government
Winning return for Djoko: his appeal is successful and an Australian judge orders his immediate release, considering that the Serb has provided all the evidence necessary to obtain his visa. “What more could this man have done?” asks the judge. The Serb leaves the Park Hotel in Melbourne, a somewhat seedy and now world-famous establishment where he had been placed, and goes to train a week before the start of the Australian Open.
January 14
Novak Djokovic 2-2 Australian Government
The game is not over as the unforced errors pile up for Djokovic. First, a wrong box checked in his Australian entry form, certifying that he has not traveled in the fourteen days preceding his arrival. However, he visited Spain from Serbia during this period. Then, by making public his supposed contamination with Covid-19, justifying his medical exemption, the player commits an obvious mess on the supposed date of infection (December 16), which does not match with various appearances from him since. On January 14, the Australian government again canceled his visa, considering in particular that his presence in Australia ‘could encourage anti-vaccination sentiment’. The Serb returns to detention pending a final court decision on his request to block his deportation.
January 16, game, set and match
Novak Djokovic 2-3 Government of Australia
Match point. On the eve of the start of the Australian Open, the Australian Federal Court unanimously rejects the appeal brought by Novak Djokovic against the cancellation of his visa. “Extremely disappointed with the Court’s decision“, the player goes directly to Melbourne airport from where he takes off, shortly before 1 p.m., on a flight to Dubai. “I will now take some time to rest and recover, before making any further comments”, explains the player. Ready for a new game?
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