Novak Djokovic's Vaccine Stance & Visa Troubles

[Moxie]

Well they're sure not "following the science" over there. Just plain wrong.

Maybe they'll change their policy. These things are constantly evolving. But for now, this is the policy.

 

[Moxie]

I think honestly Tiley and Djokovic were always going to try to force the issue. If it is true, Tiley was told in no uncertain terms that Djokovic’s exemption claim would not be permitted period. I think Tiley probably told Djokovic to come just to force the issue.

That's an interesting theory, if correct. A bit of a cowboy approach, but it worked for the Czech player, until it didn't.

 

[Front242]

Maybe they'll change their policy. These things are constantly evolving. But for now, this is the policy.

I think he'll be allowed play regardless but Australia are Draconian beyond belief because a person who has caught covid already has much better immunity than someone vaccinated. Absolute bs if others are allowed and he's not.

 

[Moxie]

Again if you listen to the video I posted, Karen clearly mentions the visa was not the issue. It was the exemption

I understand, and I never doubted that if it were just the wrong visa, it could be easily fixed. My point in the above post was just that there was some sloppy work done by the team, prior to Novak going to Australia, of which the visa was merely an example. They likely examined his paperwork so carefully due to his high-profile, and the furore that had broken out prior to his landing.

 

[Moxie]

I think he'll be allowed play regardless but Australia are Draconian beyond belief because a person who has caught covid already has much better immunity than someone vaccinated. Absolute bs if others are allowed and he's not.

You think he'll be allowed to play because his team with come up with the right paperwork, or because he's Djokovic? He's gotta see a judge on Monday, and that man has to be convinced by what is presented to him. If not, it's over, unless PM Morrison has the power to give him a special dispensation, though that doesn't seem to be his inclination.

As to others allowed to play, it seems a tiny number of unvaccinated have been given exemptions, and one has already been rescinded. He made his bed with his anti-vaccination stance, and he may just have to live with that.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I think he'll be allowed play regardless but Australia are Draconian beyond belief because a person who has caught covid already has much better immunity than someone vaccinated. Absolute bs if others are allowed and he's not.

Each of our states have different rules regarding unvaccinated people.As I live in Sydney unvaccinated people have more rights to move around and go to cafes,restaurants,etc.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I feel like the requirements were spelled out clearly before the tournament, so not having your ducks in a row before the tournament falls on you in the end.

Whether you agree with the law or not, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to follow it upon arrival.

 

[Moxie]

Each of our states have different rules regarding unvaccinated people.As I live in Sydney unvaccinated people have more rights to move around and go to cafes,restaurants,etc.

Same here in the US. NY, where I live is very strict. Other states have really never been, at all. And travel between states is not restricted, though Hawaii, which has the ability to control the comings and goings, has been strict. One issue here is that people don't need to show proof of vaccination to fly, or to test prior, within the US, and I think that's a mistake. I think everyone should have to test to fly.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

You think he'll be allowed to play because his team with come up with the right paperwork, or because he's Djokovic? He's gotta see a judge on Monday, and that man has to be convinced by what is presented to him. If not, it's over, unless PM Morrison has the power to give him a special dispensation, though that doesn't seem to be his inclination.

As to others allowed to play, it seems a tiny number of unvaccinated have been given exemptions, and one has already been rescinded. He made his bed with his anti-vaccination stance, and he may just have to live with that.

Scott Morrison is not going to intervene in a Federal law court....whatever the outcome

 

[Moxie]

Scott Morrison is not going to intervene in a Federal law court....whatever the outcome

I figured you'd say that. I just threw it out there to Front, because he thinks Djokovic will get to play, "regardless," which I find rather cavalier of the power of a court of law.

 

[Front242]

You think he'll be allowed to play because his team with come up with the right paperwork, or because he's Djokovic? He's gotta see a judge on Monday, and that man has to be convinced by what is presented to him. If not, it's over, unless PM Morrison has the power to give him a special dispensation, though that doesn't seem to be his inclination.

As to others allowed to play, it seems a tiny number of unvaccinated have been given exemptions, and one has already been rescinded. He made his bed with his anti-vaccination stance, and he may just have to live with that.

No, not because he's Djokovic but because scientifically he poses way less of a risk than a vaccinated person so it makes absolutely zero sense to not allow him play and the talk in the media of him endangering people is ridiculous nonsense. A vaccinated person can be either asymptomatic and transmitting covid at any stage without even knowing it or just catch it symptomatically at any stage as Nadal did, for example. If you live in a country where they use these useless and discriminatory covid certs to allow entry and sit in a pub, restaurant, café or go to a club or any other indoor venue you can be unknowingly in contact with people who have covid at any stage. Going back to Nadal, he's now the safest he can be and way safer than he was before he caught covid 'cos there's no way in hell he's catching it again for quite a while now having had it recently. A bit different with omicron of course in how it evades the vaccines much more and I've read a post on local forums where someone boosted caught covid twice within 6 weeks but this isn't the norm and maybe that person's immune system is a shambles.

 

[Moxie]

Thats 's what I don't understand why his team are renting a house which means they have all the documentations ok including the vaccine and Novak is going through so much trouble. There many questions to do but.......each one with his own. I hope this next Monday this serie will be finished!

Whether Djokovic plays or not, I feel this controversy will be far from finished on Monday. There's going to be fallout in Australia, and in tennis.

 

[Front242]

I figured you'd say that. I just threw it out there to Front, because he thinks Djokovic will get to play, "regardless," which I find rather cavalier of the power of a court of law.

Well, if they don't allow the world number 1 to play just a make a point and let numerous nobodies play then I think people should boycott the AO 'cos that would be bs. Honestly, he made this hard on himself and created way too much negativity by not making it known he had caught covid within the past 6 months as that changes everything. Either his PR team are crap or he's a dope if he came up with hiding that himself till recently. I've seen people even post that Australia should no longer be allowed to host this slam over this mess.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I figured you'd say that. I just threw it out there to Front, because he thinks Djokovic will get to play, "regardless," which I find rather cavalier of the power of a court of law.

Judge Kelly is a stickler for the 'law' he has also intimated he will not be rushed into handing down his decision.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Whether Djokovic plays or not, I feel this controversy will be far from finished on Monday. There's going to be fallout in Australia, and in tennis.

It has certainly 'marked' the AO for years to come.The AO PR Machine will need to go into over drive to clear it up.
Sad to say this is not about tennis anymore...

 

[Moxie]

It has certainly 'marked' the AO for years to come.The AO PR Machine will need to go into over drive to clear it up.
Sad to say this is not about tennis anymore...

Personally, I don't think the tournament, per se, should take a hit, but I know there will be fallout in Oz, including politically, based on what you've said, and I've read. This went beyond tennis, internationally, a long time ago. Issues of privilege, how the vaccinated are getting fed up with the unvaccinated, issues on the other side, etc. And in tennis, there will a lot to be discussed about all of this, going forward, too.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Roger Fe

Personally, I don't think the tournament, per se, should take a hit, but I know there will be fallout in Oz, including politically, based on what you've said, and I've read. This went beyond tennis, internationally, a long time ago. Issues of privilege, how the vaccinated are getting fed up with the unvaccinated, issues on the other side, etc. And in tennis, there will a lot to be discussed about all of this, going forward, too.

Well to me it wont be The Happy Slam...apologies to Roger Federer in advance

 

[Moxie]

No, not because he's Djokovic but because scientifically he poses way less of a risk than a vaccinated person so it makes absolutely zero sense to not allow him play and the talk in the media of him endangering people is ridiculous nonsense. A vaccinated person can be either asymptomatic and transmitting covid at any stage without even knowing it or just catch it symptomatically at any stage as Nadal did, for example. If you live in a country where they use these useless and discriminatory covid certs to allow entry and sit in a pub, restaurant, café or go to a club or any other indoor venue you can be unknowingly in contact with people who have covid at any stage. Going back to Nadal, he's now the safest he can be and way safer than he was before he caught covid 'cos there's no way in hell he's catching it again for quite a while now having had it recently. A bit different with omicron of course in how it evades the vaccines much more and I've read a post on local forums where someone boosted caught covid twice within 6 weeks but this isn't the norm and maybe that person's immune system is a shambles.

Now you're just reiterating your position on how immunity works, even though we've said that having recent Covid is not, currently, a criterion for medical exemption in Australia. As we have maintained, that is not going to work, no matter what you think. Also, you are assuming that this is Novak's excuse. We don't know this. But it would be a little surprising if he had Covid in Oct or Nov and no one got wind of it.

Well, if they don't allow the world number 1 to play just a make a point and let numerous nobodies play then I think people should boycott the AO 'cos that would be bs. Honestly, he made this hard on himself and created way too much negativity by not making it known he had caught covid within the past 6 months as that changes everything. Either his PR team are crap or he's a dope if he came up with hiding that himself till recently. I've seen people even post that Australia should no longer be allowed to host this slam over this mess.

The "numerous nobodies" you are referring to are vaccinated players. Your only complaint can be against the unvaccinated ones who got in on medical exemption, if he does not. And we are told that there are very few. You say it's "not because he's Djokovic," but then you insist that it's a travesty if they don't let the #1 play. So it kind of IS because he's Djokovic. And also because you agree with him. Again, it doesn't matter if he had covid and hid it, or not. That's not on the list that's going to get him into the country. It has to be something else, and it's hard to see where he otherwise fits the criteria. You can whinge all you want, but tell it to the judge.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Bottom line is if he had covid within 6 months he should be allowed play. He also would've done himself a big favour by announcing he had a medical exemption due to catching covid within the last 6 months before all the uproar started. No idea why he left that part out. Poor move. They allow immunity certs for flying and indoor dining entry etc. What use is it being vaccinated and still getting covid anyway ? *Cough* Nadal...

Djokovic is being screwed. At least that new French guy looks like him and will keep fans happy to some degree!

Good Grief!

 

[tennisville]

I feel like the requirements were spelled out clearly before the tournament, so not having your ducks in a row before the tournament falls on you in the end.

Whether you agree with the law or not, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to follow it upon arrival.

Okay, again this is plain BS.

The requirements were spelled out and it included being able to play with a medical exemption. Tennis Australia were just wrong

Also remember, in his mind, he was following the law.

It is also strange that till Wednesday, the federal government did not follow their law. They allowed 2 other people to get in the country with the exact same documents