tennis

Djokovic given medical exemption to play at Australian Open

30 Comments
By JOHN PYE

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30 Comments
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Every circus has its favorite privileged spoiled clown..

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Victoria state Deputy Premier James Merlino last month said medical exemptions were “not a loophole for privileged tennis players.”

well he would say that, wouldn't he?

9 ( +11 / -2 )

But I thought he was an "evil" anti vaxxer???

Must be 2 rules for plebs and "stars"

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Victoria state reported 14,020 cases on Tuesday, eclipsing the record of 8,577 set on Monday. There were 516 people in hospitals, including 108 in intensive care.

(JT, westerday)

So good luck with that mate.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

And Djokovich will be mercilessly booed, because the vast majority of us Australians have swallowed the line that government medical intervention is the only way to 'regain' our freedoms.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Disgraceful.

Thr Australian government has banned hundreds of thousands of vaccinated people - many with very compelling reasons - coming and going into the country for two years. All the while granting plenty of celebrity visas on "critical skills" grounds. Novak is just one of these exceptions.

Shame on Tennis Australia for applying for the exemption. The storm theyve created will fall on their heads.

Bigger shame on the Australian government for issuing the visa.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Djokovic is no fool, he knows of the many other athletes who have had extremely serious side effects from the vaccines. We should applaud him for his stance. Not sure he wants to develop myocarditis have have serious heart issues during a major game. Or at all.

-10 ( +7 / -17 )

Yes he will arrive in a private or first class plane and not exactly mixing with the public, but decisions like this just add fuel to peoples anger.

You cant make up a medical exemption either he has a medical reason not to be vaccinated or he doesnt, the weird semantics they use help no one, and surely if he had a genuine medical reason, the whole media sideshow about if he would attend was a huge waste of time.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

What little respect I had for him has gone. Lets hope those in the stands let him know how they feel by booing his every move.

But he isn't as bad as the Australian open management team.....

10 ( +14 / -4 )

Jay @ 7.00am

He will be booed because of his arrogance in thinking that he is privileged. Wonder how much the medical certificate cost?

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Great news! Now go win the tournament.

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

This is good news. Maybe Djokovic's presence will be enough to make a big proportion of the Australian population realise they've had enough of government lies and double standards, and refuse to comply with the ridiculous mandates, vax passports and endless testing.

Right now, governments are losing control of the narrative as people get sick of lining up for tests for a contagious but weak form of the virus just to cross state borders. In comes a tennis star who won't reveal his vaccination status, emphasising government hypocrisy. People shouldn't be angry at Djokovic - he's doing Australians a huge favour by pointing out what even the blind can see; they should instead be directing their ire towards the rule makers who are clearly corrupt and need to go.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

JayToday  07:00 am JST

And Djokovich will be mercilessly booed, because the vast majority of us Australians have swallowed the line that government medical intervention is the only way to 'regain' our freedoms.

(Most) Aussies should be booing themselves for being gullible or compliant enough to put up with this for as long as they have. Djokovic is doing them a huge favour.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

What about the thousands of vaxxed Australian citizens and their families wanting to visit relatives and friends down under.

I hope this finally shows to everyone that vaccination is not about health but compliance. One rule for me another for thee. I'm so glad I left that tyrannical state years ago.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

Just another proof that some people are more equal than others. The UEFA held their soccer events last year despite Covid restrictions imposed on ordinary people and Djokovic goes to Australia, though what’s the deal. Modern Gladiators will risk lives particularly if it is not their own.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Haha, I predicted they'd blink first in this battle with GOAT Djoko. He knew it as well, and just waited them out. Just shows what a scam and load of BS the whole thing is. It's about control, not health. Always was.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

The top-ranked Djokovic wrote on Instagram on Tuesday he has “an exemption permission” to travel to Australia.

Pathetic!!!

“It is a medical exemption in exceptional circumstances if you have an acute medical condition,” Merlino said at a news conference.

Stupidity is not medical condition and doesn't deserve exemption!!!

1 ( +5 / -4 )

i have no problem with Djoker being unvaccinated. BUT I have a huge problem with a nation strongarming its own citizens to get vaccinated with the threat of employment loss and exclusion from society and at the same time giving privileged non citizens a free pass.

Why does he get a pass when even people with cancer, heart problems and other risky medical issues can't get an exemption?

Djokovic, as an advocate for personal choice should not have sought an exemption from a nation which won't give its own citizen one. Auusies have good reason to be very upset by this.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

On the high horse is where most double vaxxed people are, only to find out the horse is a shetland pony.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Terrible after he did an event in his place with covid tell him to stuff if go with the rules for everyone.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Djokovic. A clown with privilege.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Good onya Novac, you show them.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Apparently they stopped him at the border, so likely Australia Open won't be open for the number one tennis player in the world. If they don't allow him to play, whoever wins that tournament would just become a "maybe can win against Djokovic" champion.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Australia has said no to Novak!

I guess he won’t be flying back to the US in economy though…

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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