News that Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has re-cancelled Novak Djokovic’s visa has once again made headlines around the world.
Despite polls indicating a vast majority of Australians support the decision to send the world number one packing, it is proving far more controversial in the wider world, and on social media.
Controversial fellow tennis player Tennys Sandgren, who won’t be at the Australian Open after refusing to be vaccinated or apply for a medical exemption, has once again come out in support of Djokovic, describing the government’s treatment of the champion as ‘a humiliation ritual’.
Also in Djokovic’s court is Ukrainian tennis player Illya Marchenko, who lost in the first round of qualifying for the grand slam.
While former player Janko Tipsarevic also blasted the handling of the situation.
Not all of his fellow players have come out in support of the world number one, however. Long-time rival and friend Andy Murray described the situation as ‘unfortunate’ following his semi-final win at the Sydney Tennis Classic, while former women’s top seed Justin Henin has urged Djokovic to retreat.
“I think it’s the best thing he doesn’t play at the moment,” Henin said.
“When something is so complicated, I don’t say that Djokovic doesn’t have to fight, because he thought it was the right thing to do, but I think now it’s been proved that so many Australian people don’t want him to play.
“So maybe it’s better for everyone, for tennis, for the tournament, and maybe for him, that he doesn’t play the tournament.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas has also taken a thinly-veiled swipe at Djokovic in an interview with World Is One News India, saying his vaccination stance ‘makes the majority look like they’re fools’.
Respected tennis coach Darren Cahill has also lamented the deportation, saying neither Djokovic nor the government have come out looking good.
Djokovic’s former coach Boris Becker also weighed in against Djokovic, telling the BBC his one-time charge ‘has to make some changes’
“My opinion would be: Novak, try to realise that it will be easier for you if you are vaccinated. Whether he will do that, I don’t know,” Becker said.
“It was to be expected that the Australian government would not take the ignominy of losing the case regarding the immigration proceedings against Novak Djokovic lying down and would strike back with a more forceful return.
“Any government is stronger than a single individual. That applies to all people and to Novak Djokovic too.
“He has to pay the bill all by himself. I hope the international media here will take a close look at who is responsible for all the mistakes.”
Politicians have also added their weight to the saga, with United Australia Party head Craig Kelly, as expected, siding with Djokovic.
“I stand with everyone who has been the victim of mandates, medical segregation & discrimination,” Kelly posted to Twitter.
While Greens senator Nick McKim didn’t come out in support of Djokovic, he did slam the visa cancellation as ‘capricious, arbitrary and politically motivated’.
Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was also scathing of the government.
Among journalists, the move has had the rare consequence of uniting long-time combatants NewsCorp and the ABC, with journalists Leigh Sales (ABC) and Sophie Elsworth (NewsCorp) both pondering the government’s claim that allowing Djokovic in is a public health risk.
Internationally, the news has even reached legendary actress Mia Farrow, who tweeted her condemnation for Djokovic.
Piers Morgan was even more scathing, saying the situation was an example of the rich and powerful seeking – and usually getting – preferential treatment.
Tennis journalist and long-time critic of Djokovic Ben Rothenberg summed up what most of us are thinking:
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Nice article on the NZ herald today on vaccine side effects. Check it out. I couldn’t get most of my comments through even this was declined: “You have to be almost dead to get the exemption from Dr Bloomfield: ‘no no now. He’s still breathing. Decline him please.’ Peace ! :))
WINSTON
Roar Rookie
For the same reason that Hitler had crappy rules. Ditto China's crappy rules over the Dalai lama
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Agreeing with Piers has to be the worst thing about this whole damn mess.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
But do they have the money JB?
JB
Guest
TA has a contract to run the event until 2040
Paulo
Roar Rookie
“Novax should have every right to play” His right to play isn’t in question, his right to be in the country is under question. And in that, he has not met the conditions of entry. These conditions are applied to everyone, or at least should be.
Son of Coco
Guest
Thankfully Australia isnt a police state so World tennis aren't put into an awkward spot.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
And that’s why you have six fingers!! Now you know !
WINSTON
Roar Rookie
Novax should have every right to play. Otherwise World tennis should remove the license and give it to a country that is not a police state. I am shocked by how pliable ordinary Australians have become.
Malo
Guest
Just shows that judges respond happily and quickly to those who have money but ignore the poor and refugees. The system stinks and is corrupt.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Use your comedy skills, Mike as a very last resort. Even juggling would pay better dividends for you. Perhaps you walk into a bar from the pouring rain. Your clothes are complete drenched. You take them all off to see if you can perhaps dry them under the hand dryer. But with the bathroom door opening and closing and the crowed coming and going you suddenly notice your clothes are gone. Someone has taken them. You walk into the bar to try and find them but the bouncer immediately removes you back into the street with nothing on: “You need to have at least trousers to get in here!”. You are only wearing your 13th day pair; a ripped g string! You never wear these. Your wash cycle is every 10 days, how could this happen?! A car pulls up and says: “how much?” This is a position where I would say it is a last resort and you could administer comedy. Remember your comedy is about as reliable as placing Quade Cooper into the front row against the All Blacks at Eden Park under the sticks. Poor odds IMO. Peace da out ! :rugby:
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Jokerbro, we have told you before it’s probably not a good idea to post on the Roar after you have been hitting the bong so hard. It made for some funny reading though. Keep shining though you crazy diamond.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Anyway I can’t sit on the Roar all day …I have a busy day ahead. I need to buy a cassette tape and a long black. Peace and acceptance to all the different Roarer opinions! Also I think we should all forgive Mike from Mould Roast for being the AntiChrist. I think that is only fair. Peace out !!
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
The family is up the road doing the shopping and have not yet noticed you have given them the slip and scuttled back home, have they? Do keep playing on the computer and, whatever you do, stay indoors until they return.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
I don’t think Mike (Mould Roast) would be accepted by the church community anyway. He displays all the characteristics of the AntiChrist. It would be a very hard sell indeed.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
I’d rather have freedom and dreams, Richard (deck) then be dictated to and believe in what they sell you. You should head to church now. You would make the perfect follower.
Malo
Guest
The judges must like tennis, they don’t seem to give a hoot about our refugees.
Malo
Guest
Who cares what Tennys has to say but Tiley has to resign. He did his best to flaunt the rules so his buddy gets to play. He lied and covered up. See the Djoker in 3 years time or never hopefully. The most disliked and arrogant no.1 in the history of the game. The GOAT of dheads
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
I can't believe that our court system has rallied around to urgently consider the situation for a single ordinary bloke who wants to run around a rectangle on Monday whacking a ball with an oddly shaped stick. Other people have waited years for their border issues and visa status to be resolved in more serious circumstances. I reckon what's at the crux of all this isn't so much whether or not the ABF delegate followed correct procedure. It's exemptions. I'm long retired now, but I worked in the public sector at State and local government all my life. I've seen policies, practices, and procedures decided on many times. Experienced staffers know that there'll possibly eventually be someone, usually rich, powerful, having influence, or who's just a nark, who will want to circumvent the rules. I lost track of the number of times someone would say something like "surely those rules don't apply to me". The grounds for exemption would then be formulated to avoid giving refusal - and the government agency would gradually spiral into grief as more people learnt about the exemption policy. Governments never learn.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Mick steady on with the beers it's still only early :happy: