Top-ranked Djokovic boarded an Emirates flight to play at the Australian Open tournament with a medical exemption from the Victoria state government.
Novak Djokovic’s chance to play at the Australian Open title was thrown into limbo when Australia denied him entry and cancelled his visa because he failed to meet the requirements for an exemption to COVID-19 vaccination rules. Top-ranked Djokovic boarded an Emirates flight to reach Australia and play at the tournament without the vaccination certificate and with a medical exemption from the Victoria state government.
However, the national border authorities didn’t accept the exemption, saying Djokovic failed to meet entry requirements. “The rule is very clear,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison told a news conference. “You need to have a medical exemption. He didn’t have a valid medical exemption. We make the call at the border, and that’s where it’s enforced.”
Djokovic has now sought legal recourse to appeal against the decision, as the president of Djokovic’s native Serbia blasted the “harassment” of the star, who was detained overnight at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Questions have been raised about the approval of the exemption. Questions are also raised on Emirates for letting Novak Djokovic board a flight without vaccination certificate.
