View Full Version : AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2022, pre-event discussions
Sallydaisy
01-10-2021, 12:45
Given the continuing uncertainty of the spread of Covid-19 and/or new variants causing issues this is an early start to AO discussions to keep track of what is happening and who might or might not be playing!!!
:taz::boomerang::no worries:
Sallydaisy
01-10-2021, 12:58
From Darren Cahill on Twitter:
"Victorian government mandates that all professional athletes must be vaccinated" I know this relates to Victorian sports athletes & teams but certainly the first sign where things may be heading for tennis players coming for the 2022 Australian Open
As he notes - this might impact tennis players hoping to participate in the 2022 AO.
Australia has remained in a practical lockdown for some time now and sealed their borders against international travellers since March 2020.
This prompted much comment from Australians when tennis players were allowed in for the delayed 2021 AO and some (not all) of the tennis players were less than gracious about the 2 week isolation period/facilities and the 'bubble' arrangements.
However, within the last few hours the Australian Government has announced that their international borders will re-open from November for vaccinated citizens - allowing some Australians to return 'home' for the first time in 19 months. It is based on each state reaching an 80% vaccination rate.
Travel would not immediately be open to foreigners, but the government said it was working "towards welcoming tourists back to our shores".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-58757888
Additionally:
Getting the jab will be compulsory for all footballers as the AFL falls under today's authorised worker vaccine mandate.@coreynorris9 (https://twitter.com/coreynorris9) #9News (https://twitter.com/hashtag/9News?src=hashtag_click)
To which Mike Dickson tweeted:
Very difficult to see non-vaccinated athletes from overseas being exempted from this. Among others fairly major Australian Open implications for the many tennis players who are holding out against getting it.
Craig Tiley has made plans for the AO 2022 to go ahead with players in a 2-week bio-secure bubble prior to the start of the event.
https://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/story/_/id/32091739/australian-open-players-set-two-week-bubble-ahead-2022-tournament
Sallydaisy
03-10-2021, 18:23
Twitter: (https://twitter.com/enricomariariva) The Australian Open qualies will be 1 month ahead of the tournament.
News of the qualy (https://twitter.com/AmalfiTenis) @ Australian Open:
-It will start on December 18 or 19 and will last four days
-It will have two locations: women in Dubai and the men in Abu Dhabi
-The classifieds will depart on private flights on the 26th or 27th to Melbourne.
So, if a Qualifier wants to win the AO it's going to cost a lot .....
:hmm:
themass15
19-10-2021, 14:32
This article is on the BBC website today
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/58964622
Sallydaisy
19-10-2021, 19:09
This article is on the BBC website today
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/58964622
Moved to the Oz Open main thread which is now open.
Per Reuters:
Reuters: Djokovic unsure over Australian Open involvement, won't reveal vaccine status
“People go too far these days in taking the liberty to ask Q's and judge a person.
Whatever you say ‘Yes, no, maybe, I am thinking about it’, they will (distort).
Comments from Nole: “I don’t want to reveal whether I have been vaccinated or not. Currently I don’t know if I will play the Australian Open or not. The current situation (possible vaccine ‘mandates’) is not good”
From Twitter: (https://twitter.com/leftistlawyer)
And interestingly, Djokovic was photographed a couple of weeks ago attending an event which had a strict vaccination policy. So either he sneaked in or has actually already had the vaccine.
https://pbs.twimg.com/card_img/1450160080704655361/0GptOpBQ?format=jpg&name=small
It's all well and good to guard your privacy but he really needs to just come clean and have done with it. As leader of the players 'union' it'd better for more transparency.
:hmm:
RosieBear
20-10-2021, 10:52
Novak's not going to play in Australia. Starting last night, Andy's going to peak at just the right time and finally win the Aus Open. 6th final will be the charm.
Sallydaisy
20-10-2021, 16:05
Novak's not going to play in Australia. Starting last night, Andy's going to peak at just the right time and finally win the Aus Open. 6th final will be the charm.
:peace:
Sallydaisy
20-10-2021, 16:07
Article in The Times (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/australia-does-game-s-dirty-work-on-anti-vaxxer-players-0lmqlsnr7) which is behind a Paywall so this is only an extract:
Australia does game’s dirty work on antivaxer playersStuart Fraser (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/stuart-fraser), Tennis Correspondent
Wednesday October 20 2021, 12.00pm, The Times
News of the confirmation from the Australian government that tennis players must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter the country will come as a relief to ATP and WTA officials. The relatively slow uptake on the tour was becoming an embarrassment.
Tennis is badly lagging behind other sports.
Before the US Open in August, it was believed that less than 50 per cent of competitors were vaccinated. While the rate has recently improved to about 65 per cent on the ATP and 60 per cent on the WTA, this is still disappointingly low considering that players travel around the world and enter different countries on a regular basis. The awkward irony of spectators requiring a vaccination certificate to attend recent tournaments and watch unvaccinated ...................
suttontennis
21-10-2021, 06:39
'I'm not going to say' means 'i havent'. Why not ???
I didn't sit at home for the best part of 12 months just so people like him can choose whether they want to be vaccinated. Aus Open have it right- no jab, don't bother booking a flight.
Sallydaisy
24-10-2021, 23:15
Ben Rothenburg on Twitter: (https://twitter.com/BenRothenberg/status/1452352307316895747)
Per email sent to WTA players just now, Tennis Australia has told WTA PC that fully vaccinated players won’t be required to quarantine or bubble at all. Unvaccinated players will be allowed to enter, TA tells WTA, but must do 14 days of hotel quarantine.
^This could be subject to change if the Victoria or Australia government declares differently (ie to require vaccination for entry), but this is the information WTA players are currently getting.
Given there is a request at the bottom for the email to remain confidential it might mean trouble for those who allowed it to 'leak'. Especially given some of the responses to Ben as posted down the bottom.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FCfKuafXoAQ4LJX?format=jpg&name=small
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FCfKuanXEAkK_Uk?format=jpg&name=small
So I, as an Aussie, arent allowed into Victoria as I am unvaccinated yet unvaccinated foreigners are free to? The **** is this?!?!?
I very much doubt that the Vic government week allow this, given that they announced the roadmap to 90% vaccination yesterday (reached end of Nov). Categorically said that the unvaccinated won't be able to participate in the "new" economy, besides basic amenities
Bens tweet is now being picked up by Australian news which hadn’t heard about this until now. Now the question is has Australia’s government reversed the vaccination requirement due to pressure from the ATP/WTA and Djokovic, or will they stay the course and require vaccination?
I still don't agree with this. Tennis Australia still making a loophole. Australians have endured a hard lockdown! Cops showing up at people's homes to make sure they complete quarantine. What must Australians think that tennis players can enter their country without vaccine?
BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/59062787)- Australian Open 2022: Unvaccinated players face fresh doubts about eligibility to play
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said those without jabs would be able to enter Australia to play.
He added that entry would depend on the state of Victoria - which includes Melbourne - applying for exemptions.
But Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has indicated the state will not apply.
"On behalf of every vaccinated Victorian who has done the right thing, my government will not be applying for an exemption for any unvaccinated player," said Andrews.
"If we don't apply for an exemption, then no exemption will be granted and then the whole issue is basically resolved."
suttontennis
20-11-2021, 08:32
Now we'll find out who cares about protecting the public at large by being vaccinated, or will there be a crop of players withdrawing through 'injury'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/59356156
themass15
20-11-2021, 11:17
Will be interesting to see, apparently about 80% of ATP tour vaccinated, but they do not have figures for the WTA
Sallydaisy
25-11-2021, 17:40
The lead up to the Australian Open ... lots of events for the WTA and ATP!
GBR will be in the ATP Cup.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FFBDN36UcAgHtGp?format=jpg&name=small
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FFBDN36UcAgHtGp?format=jpg&name=small
exislander
08-12-2021, 10:14
Some news of entry list
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/59575327
Sallydaisy
22-12-2021, 11:38
Update from Craig Tiley ... make of it what you will.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/59745818 “There will be a very small percentage that will have a medical exemption” says the AO’s Craig Tiley.
Comment from Russell Fuller (https://twitter.com/russellcfuller):
Players will be either vaccinated or exempt: so if they don’t share the information, we will be none the wiser.
suttontennis
22-12-2021, 13:09
Will he ? Won't he ?? Who cares ???
I suppose that by the time January 17th rolls around, there won't be any surprises at the top of the men's draw.
I bet Nole got a medical exemption or is trying for one anyway. The fact that he is gluten intolerant and is on special diets indicates he could have something else going on too. Many people who are gluten sensitive do.
Sallydaisy
22-12-2021, 21:28
I bet Nole got a medical exemption or is trying for one anyway. The fact that he is gluten intolerant and is on special diets indicates he could have something else going on too. Many people who are gluten sensitive do.
This is actually what Craig Tiley said. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FHMAd_BWUAUvVK8?format=png&name=900x900
Sallydaisy
23-12-2021, 12:40
:yahoo:
Wild card confirmed for Andy Murray to play the Australian Open.
:thumbup:
Thread being moved to Andy Rules.
There will be a separate main thread (closed for now) for the event giving draws and other details once they are known.
if this is the case makes the rules pretty pointless, surely proof should be required for players with medical exemptions.
The players with medical exemption will be providing proof to someone or they won't get the medical exemption certificate. But you can't expect a medical condition to be made public.
JAMES4578
23-12-2021, 14:37
Perhaps I misinterpreted Craig Tiley's statement.
I should think it is very difficult to get a medical exemption.
This is from the BBC article.
Tennis Australia said applications for an exemption would initially be reviewed by an independent panel of doctors from the fields of immunology, infectious disease and general practice.
Applications that meet the national guidelines set by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) will be subjected to a second review, conducted by a government-appointed panel of medical experts, the Independent Medical Exemption Review Panel.
Australian Open: Dominic Thiem pulls out with wrist injury
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/59808266
Sallydaisy
30-12-2021, 23:14
Andy is in Melbourne getting in some practice.
:tennis:
Andy is in Melbourne getting in some practice.
:tennis:
Woohoo!!!!!!
Rumours in the press that a Serbian newspaper "Informer" has said Nole had been refused a medical exemption to travel to Australia. But don't think there is a formal announcement. https://informer.rs/sport/tenis/663650/novak-djokovic-ide-australijan-open#.YctvGdMbNYo.twitter
JAMES4578
04-01-2022, 11:17
Reports in Guardian and other papers as well on BBC now that Djokovic has somehow received a medical exemption! Apparently posted on his Instagram . https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/04/novak-djokovic-secures-medical-exemption-to-play-in-australian-open-tennis BBC Tennis (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/59865959)
Sallydaisy
04-01-2022, 11:19
Confirmation from Djokovic that he is going to the AO with an 'exemption'.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FIQDVxIXoA0NmO5?format=jpg&name=large
(https://twitter.com/Mike_Dickson_DM)
Mike Dickson@Mike_Dickson_DM· (https://twitter.com/Mike_Dickson_DM)46m (https://twitter.com/Mike_Dickson_DM/status/1478312865400512512)
20-times Grand Slam winner Djokovic has managed to persuade Australia's health authorities that he has a valid medical reason not to be vaccinated.
Djoko (and others) persuaded Aussie health authorities of his need for an exemption, but going forward he's going to have to do the same for many other jurisdictions (eg US and almost certainly France) which could get exhausting.
James Harrison@yourpaljames· (https://twitter.com/yourpaljames)35m (https://twitter.com/yourpaljames/status/1478316201889652740)
Novak Djokovic getting a medical exemption to play at the #AusOpen (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hashtag_click) is blatant showing of moral corruption! If any other player was denied, there can be no other reason than flagrant favouritism! Wrong decision.
HoopGirl
04-01-2022, 11:23
Reports in Guardian and other papers as well on BBC now that Djokovic has somehow received a medical exemption! Apparently posted on his Instagram . https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/04/novak-djokovic-secures-medical-exemption-to-play-in-australian-open-tennis BBC Tennis (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/59865959)
I’ve just seen this! Am very sceptical about how Novak has managed this!
RosieBear
04-01-2022, 11:53
If this is true, and I suspect it is, then I'm disgusted. Often hailed as the greatest athlete on the planet but has such a significant medical condition it warrants an exemption - oh OK :rolleyes: I just knew he would worm his way in - because the issue was allowed to rumble on - if the authorities were really in control they would have laid down the rules and ruled Novak out ages ago. Terrible example to set and Australians should be fuming.
RosieBear
04-01-2022, 12:11
If this is true, and I suspect it is, then I'm disgusted. Often hailed as the greatest athlete on the planet but has such a significant medical condition it warrants an exemption - oh OK :rolleyes: I just knew he would worm his way in - because the issue was allowed to rumble on - if the authorities were really in control they would have laid down the rules and ruled Novak out ages ago. Terrible example to set and Australian people will rightly be fuming.
*It's true, Djoko himself has confirmed exemption and that he's travelling to Australia today. Hope he gets booed off the court.
suttontennis
04-01-2022, 13:02
Unfortunately, if the authorities have issued it, his medical exemption is as good/valid as anyone elses.
BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/59865959) - Novak Djokovic will compete at Australian Open with medical exemption
Earlier this week, Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said that some unvaccinated players had been granted exemptions to play in the year's first Grand Slam.
Applications for medical exemptions are being assessed anonymously by two separate panels, with inflammatory cardiac illness or another acute condition listed as valid reasons.
But it is also possible Djokovic has recently tested positive for the virus, which would allow him to defer taking the vaccine.
RosieBear
04-01-2022, 14:23
Jamie Murray on Novak's medical exemption: "I think if it was me that wasn't vaccinated I wouldn't be getting an exemption".
Well said Jamie, as we all know, all exemptions are equal but some are more equal than others :rolleyes:
Sallydaisy
04-01-2022, 16:56
From Ben Rothenberg on Twitter:
two-time quarterfinalist Tennys Sandgren (2018, 2020) is pulling out of the #AusOpen (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hashtag_click) because of the vaccination requirement here. Sandgren did not try to apply for any medical exemption, he told me, because he did not meet any of the criteria listed for one.
Sallydaisy
04-01-2022, 17:06
Meanwhile ...
Indian Tennis Daily@IndTennisDaily· (https://twitter.com/IndTennisDaily)6h (https://twitter.com/IndTennisDaily/status/1478317986742091776)
Indian Jr. Aman Dahiya had to withdraw from Junior Australian Open cause he was denied exemption. He was not vaccinated cause India hadn't started vaccination for kids below 18yrs
It is possible that Nole had a recent positive result for Covid - according to the BBC that would allow him into Australia. It is also likely that he has a medical condition we don't know about because of the sorts of diets etc that he does. But we will probably never know if it is that or he got special treatment.
Australia is having big changes in their policies regarding Covid. They are expecting a lot of Covid around later in January and they are not going to lock down again, so I guess that could cause chaos at the Oz Open. They are even allowing infected nurses to go back to work if no symptoms and wearing PPE.
Sallydaisy
04-01-2022, 17:40
Jon Wertheim just tweeted this:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FIRlaWQXwAYx8iv?format=jpg&name=large
26 players applied for medical exemptions and only a few received them and they were done anonymously.
BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-59876203)- Novak Djokovic: Australian Open vaccine exemption ignites backlash
The tournament's chief executive, Craig Tiley, said 26 athletes had applied for medical exemptions. "A handful" had been granted, he said, under guidelines set by federal regulators.
"We made it extra difficult for anyone applying for an application to ensure it was the right process and to make sure the medical experts deal with it independently," he told Channel 9.
Applications for medical exemptions are being assessed anonymously by two separate panels, with inflammatory cardiac illness or another acute condition listed as valid reasons.
But it is also possible Djokovic has recently tested positive for the virus, which would allow him to defer taking the vaccine.
themass15
05-01-2022, 12:42
*It's true, Djoko himself has confirmed exemption and that he's travelling to Australia today. Hope he gets booed off the court.
No such luck
suttontennis
05-01-2022, 12:49
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-59876203
does the Australian PM really think Novak would travel all that way with an exemption certificate written on the back of a fag packet. As much as I'm not keen on Novak, if he's abiding by the rules then he's as entitled to play as any-one, and I don't like Tennis being used to score political points.
Sallydaisy
05-01-2022, 13:21
It's getting very messy.
BREAKING The Victorian government rejected a late-night request from Border Force to support the world No. 1’s visa hours before he landed in Melbourne after it was discovered that Djokovic’s team had submitted the wrong type of visa.
This is because:
Djokovic is attempting to enter the country on a visa that does not permit medical exemptions for being unvaccinated. As a result, Border Force sought Victorian government support to facilitate his entry because the government partners with Tennis Australia in running the event that Djokovic’s pertains to.
Border Force officials have the discretion to allow Djokovic into the country in spite of the Victorian government move. He will likely be allowed off his plane and into Melbourne, however, the bungle delayed Djokovic’s entry and by midnight the situation was ongoing.
What a mess. The visa type should have been ironed out earlier.
I wonder what is happening to the other players with medical exemptions.
Just received this notification
https://tennisuptodate.com/atp/novak-djokovic-denied-entry-into-australia-because-of-faulty-visa
Just received this notification
https://tennisuptodate.com/atp/novak-djokovic-denied-entry-into-australia-because-of-faulty-visa
Novak Djokovic (https://tennisuptodate.com/novak-djokovic) landed in Melbourne recently but he has not been allowed to enter the country due to a faulty visa.
...........
"There is no official information on whether Djokovic can or will apply for a different visa and whether he would get it."
Sallydaisy
05-01-2022, 15:21
It’s now three hours since Djokovic landed in Melbourne and he still hasn’t picked up his bags at the airport. The saga continues...
Rosalind
05-01-2022, 15:45
I'm no Novak fan but the change of mind when he's already en route is awful! What are they doing?
It should have been a plain no for him and everyone else in the same situation. What a fiasco!
RosieBear
05-01-2022, 16:57
I agree, it's turned into a horrible situation and I feel sorry for him stuck in customs after a really long journey. The authorities should never have allowed it to drag on and to come to this, though team apparently Novak's team bungled the visa application so a bit rubbish all round.
We don't know for certain yet whether this was a bungle by his team or they were given the wrong advice by the Australians about the Visa. Probably other stuff going on we don't know about.
What I want to know is what is happening to the other players/staff who have exemptions - as they should all be treated the same.
Latest info I have
https://tennisuptodate.com/atp/djokovic-currently-isolated-and-guarded-by-police-after-being-denied-entry-into-australia
from twitter
B92.net in English
@b92english
Serbia state-affiliated media
(https://help.twitter.com/rules-and-policies/state-affiliated)
· 54m
Novak Djokovic is currently isolated in the room and no one can enter there, his father Srdjan Djokovic confirmed for B92.
Latest info I have
https://tennisuptodate.com/atp/djokovic-currently-isolated-and-guarded-by-police-after-being-denied-entry-into-australia
They are saying he had Covid. Not sure why he had to be so secretive about that.
Also there was clarity further into his reason for the medical exemption which sources believe is COVID infection in the past six months.
From 9 news
https://twitter.com/i/events/1478514840897347584
I doubt we will be hearing much more for a while as it is the middle of the night in Oz.
Sallydaisy
05-01-2022, 17:45
From 9 news
https://twitter.com/i/events/1478514840897347584
I doubt we will be hearing much more for a while as it is the middle of the night in Oz.
Meanwhile we can have a little chuckle 'cos it hasn't taken long for the jokers to be creative ...
:laugh:
... sorry for the oversized images.
:whistle:
A bit of humor in the middle of the whole case #Djokovic (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Djokovic?src=hashtag_click) , #Australia (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Australia?src=hashtag_click) , #COVID19 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hashtag_click) , medical leave, #AusOpen (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hashtag_click)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FIWsYG7XMAQCKkd?format=jpg&name=900x900
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FIWsYGjXEAsogul?format=jpg&name=medium
Here is another :lol:
https://twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/status/1478752269222952960
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FIWVWVZWUAEv9S4?format=jpg&name=small
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FIWgiMHX0AMo3R7?format=jpg&name=small
@carole_bouchard (https://twitter.com/carole_bouchard)
(https://twitter.com/carole_bouchard)
Team Djokovic still waiting for Novak… via Ivanisevic’s IG:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FIW2Cz7XsAMcWfA?format=jpg&name=small
https://twitter.com/i/status/1478741673685536768
The Age (https://www.theage.com.au/national/visa-bungle-delays-novak-djokovic-s-entry-into-australia-20220105-p59m75.html) - Visa and exemption evidence concerns delay Novak Djokovic’s entry into Australia
A federal government source familiar with the episode said there were question marks about whether Djokovic had adequate documentation to prove the reason for his exemption. This evidence is required to be presented at the border by unvaccinated people.
The source said it was not clear whether a COVID-19 infection in the past six months - which is suspected to be the justification for the player’s exemption – was sufficient to secure entry into Australia under federal guidelines.
and Ms Pulford said the request to sponsor Djokovic’s visa was rejected.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, a spokeswoman for Border Force rejected Ms Pulford’s claims.
“ABF did not request Victorian government support a visa. ABF reached [out] to the Victorian government to validate their public statements about their support for his entry, and whether Victoria had further information related to his medical exemption documentation,” she said.
banskogirl
05-01-2022, 19:14
They are saying he had Covid. Not sure why he had to be so secretive about that.
Well it's not hard to show proof of a positive result :rolling: been showing mine since Christmas just for dinners!
Sallydaisy
05-01-2022, 19:22
Seems to me that:-
The AO organisers negotiated with Victoria State AND the Australian Govt that there could be exemptions.
Over 20 players/entourage applied for those exemptions (some entourage could indeed have pre-existing medical conditions that prevent vaccination).
Apparently 4 or 5 got exemptions - including Djokovic. None of those 4/5 have needed to say who they are or provide public proof of why they were exempted.
So in that regard Nole has done nothing wrong within the context of parameters set out by the AO. i.e. he complied with their requirements so has done nothing different to the 3/4 other tennis players.
Except boast about getting an exemption ...
:facepalm:
BUT
Australians have suffered long lockdowns and restrictions and weren't too happy about the AO being held in 2021 even with the stringent arrangements in place. So, they're not going to be happy with any perceived 'loopholes' being opened for 'elite' sportsfolk.
HOWEVER
It seems that it's Noles' own management that may have shot him in the foot.
IF it's true that he has come to Australia on the 'wrong' Visa he's in the same boat as any other person trying to enter a foreign country and Border Control have every right to refuse entry. It may have been a silly mistake but he wouldn't get any further in the USA or Russia or China on a wrong Visa and Australia is no different.
He's been kept in a locked room, guarded by 2 police officers, for over 6 hours because in the eyes of Border Control he's trying to enter Australia illegally. The longer he's denied access out of the airport the more likely they'll send him home.
Perhaps his best option is to admit the visa is wrong, hightail home, get a new CORRECT VISA pdq, sort out a new exemption if necessary (or be vaccinated!!!) and be back in time for the AO on 17th January.
Even if they let him in he'd probably be better to go home; the damage to his reputation over this is incalculable. For the World#1 player, holding 20 Grand Slam titles, to appear to be getting into Australia via an exemption AND trying to get in on the wrong paperwork is just crass judgement. He needs to accept that and regroup - but not in Australasia!!! IMHO.
I suspect the Serbian population of Australia will make for a very lively AO whatever the outcome.
;)
From Paul Sakkal on twitter
At 5.30am, 6 hours after Novak Djokovic landed in Melbourne, he's still being questioned by Border Force officials in an airport room. They're assessing docs to support his vax exemption. A source said the longer it goes, the smaller the chance he'll be permitted entry @theage twitter.com/paulsakkal/sta…
This is certainly getting interesting
From Sunrise on twitter
"If they don't let him go in half an hour, we will gather on the street"Novak Djokovic's father has accused Australian officials of "holding my son captive" after the tennis star landed at Melbourne airport overnight.
Update from The Age article posted earlier
Tennis Australia confirmed on Wednesday that most of the exemption applications made by players or officials came from individuals who had been infected with coronavirus in the past six months.
Three high-level sources briefed on Djokovic’s situation, who spoke anonymously because the matter was confidential, said they believed it was highly probable that the exemption was granted for that reason.
From Sasa Ozmo on twitter
The decision on whether #Djokovic (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Djokovic?src=hashtag_click) can enter Australia will be made somewhere between 9.30-10 AM local time, which is 10.30-11 PM CET. So, in two hours, more or less.
From Oliver Brown on twitter
There is an increasing possibility that Djokovic will be on the next flight home. Both the Serbian Embassy and the Australian Ambassador to Serbia are now becoming involved. A lonely-looking Australian Open courtesy car still waiting for him outside airport.
banskogirl
05-01-2022, 20:41
From Oliver Brown on twitter
Why on earth are the rules not just black and white?
Adam Adicott on twitter
Within the last hour the President of Serbia confirms that he has spoken to Novak :-
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FIXdKoRWYAAMQWf?format=jpg&name=900x900
Clint Stanaway on twitter
World Number 1 Novak Djokovic remains at Melbourne Airport after his arrival just before midnight — his visa has now been cancelled by Australian Border Force. I understand he will now challenge the decision in the Victorian courts #ausopen
Paul Sackel on twitter
Breaking: Novak Djokovic's visa has been cancelled. He's been told to leave the country today, two sources confirmed to @theage. His Lawyers are in the process of appealing. He's not demonstrated to Border Force sufficient evidence for his exemption https://theage.com.au/national/visa-bungle-delays-novak-djokovic-s-entry-into-australia-20220105-p59m75.html
lovetennis
05-01-2022, 21:19
Whichever way this goes, it's going to be a right kick off. If they do let him in, Djokovic is going to get a very unfriendly 'welcome' by the AO crowd
BBC carrying the refusal now too.
lovetennis
05-01-2022, 21:32
BBC carrying the refusal now too.
Yep https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-59889522
What I don't understand is that if it is now lack of evidence for the medical exemption that is stopping Novax get in, then how did he get the medical exemption from 2 separate panels in the first place. Surely the panels should have matched Australian entry requirements.
Also this is from the latest version of the Age article
A Tennis Australia source claimed the move was a publicity stunt that solely targeted Djokovic and not other players who had already entered with the same exemption.
You may well ask Cazza. I'm sure it was all above board.......
I'm not sure anyone is going to come out of this well. The whole process has been far from transparent. Who even knows who has the other exemptions or what they were based on?
Djokovic will be a martyr and hero to the antivaxxers.
This has all the makings of an international incident and I have heard Nole has political aspirations.
Reading the BBC news website it appears to be an issue of having the wrong kind of visa for a medical exemption admission to the country.
Reading the BBC news website it appears to be an issue of having the wrong kind of visa for a medical exemption admission to the country.
That is what they said initially and then later on it was 2 things, the visa and not enough info for medical exemption. The Age article is the most up to date.
Sallydaisy
05-01-2022, 22:56
Reading the BBC news website it appears to be an issue of having the wrong kind of visa for a medical exemption admission to the country.
That's exactly it.
He got the medical exemption, along with a few other players, so he could play the AO unvaccinated.
But he also had to get into Oz on the right type of Visa - and his team/management/him got that bit wrong.
So the Visa he had did NOT allow him to come in unvaccinated or with an exemption.
The devil is in the detail.
It's just astonishing that a well travelled player could get a visa wrong (and end of the day that particular buck stops with the player) especially given how much countries are being careful about rules/regs for allowing in non-nationals.
The Border Force had realised the problem a few hours before he landed so Nole's team had chance to consider options. And BF started asking questions before he landed which gave some parts of the Oz administration to put their heads above the parapet.
As someone has tweeted ... if only he'd had the jab. None of this would have happened.
:sad:
If the OZ government had let him in they'd have alienated their entire population.
Vike Queen on twitter re the others with medical exemption
I'm reading elsewhere they may have been admitted on the same visa that got Novak bounced. This is not over yet
The latest amendment to The Age article https://www.theage.com.au/national/visa-bungle-delays-novak-djokovic-s-entry-into-australia-20220105-p59m75.html
A source close to Tennis Australia, speaking anonymously to discuss the situation, said it appeared federal officials had blocked Djokovic’s path to avoid the potentially unpopular appearance of allowing him into the country with a medical exemption.
“I don’t know how the feds will [address the fact that] several tennis players are already in the country with the same exemption granted to Novak,” the source said.
“This looks to us like the feds are responding to the media by letting some players in but not the World No. 1.”
The Age (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/australia-doesn-t-deserve-to-host-a-grand-slam-tennis-world-reacts-to-djokovic-s-rejection-20220106-p59m96.html) - ‘Australia doesn’t deserve to host a grand slam’: Tennis world reacts to Djokovic’s rejection
Former Australian Open tournament director Paul McNamee was, like others, left stunned that Djokovic would be the only Australian Open participant so far to have his visa approved and then rejected.
“For those asking, all players go through the same visa process overseen by Tennis Australia to play the Australian Open (as non Australians are currently not able to enter). So it beggars belief that Djokovic is the only player that has had his visa granted and then rescinded,” McNamee said on Twitter.
From the BBC
"Tennis star Novak Djokovic has had his visa to enter Australia dramatically revoked on his arrival in Melbourne.
The world number one was held in the city's airport for several hours before border forces announced he had not met entry rules and would be deported.
He has reportedly now been taken to a government detention hotel pending his departure on an outbound flight."
HoopGirl
06-01-2022, 08:10
Honestly what a mess!
I don’t like to think that Novak get special treatment - but if others have been admitted with the same documents then he is being victimised.
I don’t think Novak has helped himself in this whole saga with his anti vaxx stuff.
Whatever happens this doesn’t bode well for his championship chances.
Nadal talking a lot of sense
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/59892388
I think Djokovic was the only one to openly flaunt his exemption. Do we even know who the others are? If he'd kept quiet maybe none of this would've happened and folk would have had to continue to speculate as to whether he was vaxxed or exempt. No sympathy here. But none of it's pretty.
RosieBear
06-01-2022, 11:35
I'm getting increasingly uneasy about this story. I don't agree with Novak's choices and there absolutely should not be any special treatment just for him, but it feels like this is turning into a cruel show trial. Novak should be treated like everyone else - that means abiding by the rules but it also means not being publicly humiliated in a Aus Gov PR campaign so they can say ha, see even the great Novak Djokovic doesn't get to break the rules. Should be fair, equal treatment all round not turning him into a political football - should never have been allowed to come to this. Yes, Novak has brought it on himself, but was able to do so because he was given false hope of getting through a loop hole. What a mess.
An interesting take on the controversy...
https://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/letting-djokovic-stay-could-ruin-our-delicate-ecosystem-of-twats-says-australia-20220106215972
:pirate:
I heard, earlier, about it being adjourned until Monday so both sides can put their case to the judge.
I think Djokovic was the only one to openly flaunt his exemption. Do we even know who the others are? If he'd kept quiet maybe none of this would've happened and folk would have had to continue to speculate as to whether he was vaxxed or exempt. No sympathy here. But none of it's pretty.
There are a few people saying on twitter it was probably Nole posting on social media promoting an uproar in Australia that caused this. Border Force were able to let him enter with their discretion if they wanted to.
The Age (https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/border-force-investigating-other-australian-open-players-after-djokovic-ban-20220106-p59md5.html?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1641452218-1) - Border Force investigating other Australian Open players after Djokovic ban
Tennis Australia (https://www.theage.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p59lw1) claimed on Thursday that other Australian Open participants have been allowed into the country after contracting COVID in the past six months, using the same exemption that Djokovic applied for.
This prompted Border Force to launch investigations into the other player and official. Federal government sources said the two others might also fall foul of the rules, but said every case was different, and they may have other valid medical reasons for not being vaccinated.
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews on Thursday confirmed Border Force was now investigating the allegations and didn’t rule out more players being sent back home.
Three sources familiar with Djokovic’s paperwork on arrival, speaking anonymously to detail confidential documentation, said evidence to support the player’s exemption was “minimal” and was only supported by one doctor. They said it was far less substantive than that of the other player and official who entered the country with the same vaccine exemption.
The other player and the official had more than one doctor supporting their claims of prior COVID infection, while one source said most of Djokovic’s paperwork was on a Tennis Australia letterhead. When border officials asked him and the Victorian government to supply more documentation, none was produced.
“It was totally insufficient and he couldn’t produce anything new. What else were we meant to do in the situation?” one senior Commonwealth source said.
Tennis Australia officials were privately fuming about the federal government’s decision on Thursday. One source said the move appeared to be motivated by politics and a desire to target a high-profile vaccine sceptic to boost the government’s popularity. They said Djokovic’s Instagram post and subsequent media interest sparked the federal government’s motivation to take a hard line.
“I don’t know how the feds will [address the fact that] several tennis players are already in the country with the same exemption granted to Novak,” the source said. “This looks to us like the feds are responding to the media by letting some players in but not the world No.1.”
Nole's Dad hasn't helped.
Federal authorities have also not ruled out banning Djokovic from entering the country for three years, as the Serbian star’s father declared his son was being held in “Australian captivity” and had become the “the symbol and the leader of the free world”.
Oh dear, there are already reports of bugs in his room.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FIawXHHXIAs6l9i?format=jpg&name=small
Sydney Morning Herald (https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/letters-from-federal-government-cast-doubt-on-djokovic-exemption-20220106-p59mbd.html) - Letters from federal government cast doubt on Djokovic exemption
Federal health authorities told Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley on two occasions in writing that people who were not vaccinated and had contracted COVID-19 in the past six months would not be granted quarantine-free travel to Australia.
Nole's Dad hasn't helped.
Not the 1st remark that his father has made that make him sound a nutter.
HoopGirl
06-01-2022, 14:04
I think Djokovic was the only one to openly flaunt his exemption. Do we even know who the others are? If he'd kept quiet maybe none of this would've happened and folk would have had to continue to speculate as to whether he was vaxxed or exempt. No sympathy here. But none of it's pretty.
Sadly I think that’s true - the bit so many people see of him is his manner of flaunting and this time there is some definite arrogance.
HoopGirl
06-01-2022, 14:11
I'm getting increasingly uneasy about this story. I don't agree with Novak's choices and there absolutely should not be any special treatment just for him, but it feels like this is turning into a cruel show trial. Novak should be treated like everyone else - that means abiding by the rules but it also means not being publicly humiliated in a Aus Gov PR campaign so they can say ha, see even the great Novak Djokovic doesn't get to break the rules. Should be fair, equal treatment all round not turning him into a political football - should never have been allowed to come to this. Yes, Novak has brought it on himself, but was able to do so because he was given false hope of getting through a loop hole. What a mess.
It might be political or a reaction from frustrated officials who have endured lots of severe lockdowns and think there’s one rule for some and one for others and they aren’t going to stand for it.
I’ve been to Australia and not had an issue with immigration but this was a different matter when going to both the US and Canada - heavy handed officials who make you fearful they would cart you away in a blink of an eye if they do wish.
But you are right it does feel like it’s let’s beat Novak with a stick time - even people here are saying it’s great. Personally I think this reaction is frustration from all the restrictions and seeing others doing things differently. But regardless it feels like it’s getting out of hand.
Novak's visa had been approved before he left for Australia. Previous Oz open tournament director explains a bit more
abc (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-06/he-deserves-his-day-on-court,-not-in-court:-paul-mcnamee/13697464) - Video: He deserves his place on court, not in court. Paul McNamee slams Novak visa revoke.is day on court, not in court: Paul McNamee slams Novak visa revoke
Former Australian Open tournament director Paul McNamee slams government over visa revoke, saying Novak Djokovic is a victim in this
Nishikori has withdrawn and Kohlschreiber has taken his place in the draw. If Djokovic gets deported then the next alternate is Majchrzak.
HoopGirl
06-01-2022, 18:03
Novak's visa had been approved before he left for Australia. Previous Oz open tournament director explains a bit more
abc (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-06/he-deserves-his-day-on-court,-not-in-court:-paul-mcnamee/13697464) - Video: He deserves his place on court, not in court. Paul McNamee slams Novak visa revoke.is day on court, not in court: Paul McNamee slams Novak visa revoke
Former Australian Open tournament director Paul McNamee slams government over visa revoke, saying Novak Djokovic is a victim in this
Fascinating!
Fascinating!
Yes and it looks like Novak broke no rules.
The Age (https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/why-novak-djokovic-s-visa-was-rejected-20220106-p59m9a.html) - Why Novak Djokovic’s visa was rejected
The Victorian government is insistent that there was advice from ATAGI suggesting that contracting the virus in the past six months is a valid reason for not being vaccinated. But federal sources say ATAGI did not endorse the process that the Victorian government or Tennis Australia put in place and it was never engaged.
Interesting interview. "A huge misalignment between the powers within Australia"
https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1479012504839892993
banskogirl
06-01-2022, 19:41
Sadly I think that’s true - the bit so many people see of him is his manner of flaunting and this time there is some definite arrogance.
I can’t see what else could have been done when he made it so public. Perhaps he could be sitting in his normal hotel now, smiling at his good luck, if he had kept quiet!
:lol: from twitter
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FIcW5LrXEAUqeDr?format=jpg&name=small
It seems to me from what I've read that a visa was approved based on questions answered, although normally documentation would have to be provided usually at that time. However when Djokovic arrived he didn't have the correct documentation needed for the exemption. For instance, maybe he couldn't provide paperwork proving he had covid in the last 6 months. This is just a theory on my part. However, if he had covid in the last 6 months I would have thought he could have got the paperwork by now to back that up. Another thought is maybe he thought he could use this for his exemption but hasn't had covid in the last 6 months(does anyone know if he has). I think he is arrogant enough to think that when face to face with officials in Australia they wouldn't dare to question him.
Another thing with immigration is you treat them with the utmost respect. It wouldn't help to be belligerent with them. I'm not saying he was, just that his temperament isn't the best at times. I've also found that immigration at some airports is worse than others. I've had good and bad experiences. When I came to America to live, I came through Atlanta and they were the nicest, most respectful immigration people I have met. Apologizing to me because someone in the next room was swearing and shouting because they wouldn't let him in. I specifically chose a different airport than New York after what I saw and heard coming through immigration in New York when I had previously come for a holiday.
Will be interesting to see what happens.
Saw this article tonight online: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/what-really-tripped-up-djokovic-at-australia-s-border/ar-AASw3QA?li=BBnbcA1
Rosalind
07-01-2022, 08:51
Just an aside: interesting or annoying when a tennis story infiltrates the non-tennis world headlines or general chatter? Novak now or Emma with her US win/awards. It's like everyone is suddenly a tennis expert. I bet some had not even heard of Djokovic last week!
I can’t stand the man, and think he is as arrogant as it’s possible to be excepting the sainted Fed.
However I do think this whole thing is political. Australia’s Zero Covid policing. You don’t go round telling your host country the facilities are excrement, even though they might well be. His father sounds completely deranged.
Sallydaisy
07-01-2022, 10:46
To add to the 'fun' in OZ:
NEW - Australia's Northern Territory has imposed a China-like lockdown of all unvaccinated citizens, claiming "they are at greater risk of catching Covid."
Sallydaisy
07-01-2022, 10:57
Now a Czech female player has had her visa rescinded ... per ABC news.
A female tennis player from the Czech Republic has had her Australian visa cancelled and is being detained in the same immigration hotel as Serbian star Novak Djokovic. (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-07/novak-djokovic-tennis-australian-open-detention-melbourne/100742036)
The ABC can reveal Renata Voráčová, who has already played in a warm-up tournament in Melbourne, was detained by Australian Border Force officials yesterday and taken to the Park Hotel in Carlton.
A government source familiar with the case has confirmed Voráčová was informed by ABF officials she must soon leave the country, but it is still unclear if she intends to challenge the decision.
Voráčová is believed to have entered Australia last month with a vaccine exemption granted by Tennis Australia because she had recently contracted and recovered from COVID-19.
Czech diplomats are believed to be in contact with the 38-year-old player, but the country's embassy in Canberra is yet to comment publicly.
... and other snippets.
Jana Vent@VentJana· (https://twitter.com/VentJana)12h (https://twitter.com/VentJana/status/1479219650101608452)
I wish media would report correctly that Djokovic has 'CHOSEN TO REMAIN IN DETENTION'. He is not being 'held' and is free to leave right now if he wished to.
By which she means he could cancel his appeal and just go home.
Mehdi Ali@MehdiAli98· (https://twitter.com/MehdiAli98)13h (https://twitter.com/MehdiAli98/status/1479199639211413506)
It's so sad that so many journalists contacted me yesterday to ask me about Djokovic. I've been in a cage for 9 years, I turn 24 today, and all you want to talk to me about is that. Pretending to care by asking me how I am and then straight away asking questions about Djokovic.
Michal Samulski@MichalSamulski
(https://twitter.com/MichalSamulski)Tennis Australia shared incorrect information - they told players there was a two-step process to follow so they could play the Australian Open without being vaccinated.
This is the smoking gun that proves Tennis Australia wrongly — and knowingly — told the world’s best tennis players, including Novak Djokovic, how they could play in the first grand slam of the year even though they knew the proper rules for players who were unvaccinated against Covid was not as clear cut.
On Dec 28th Ben Rothenberg posted:
Rough development for the mid-pandemic #AusOpen (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hashtag_click):
Tennis Australia's biosecurity manager Tom McDowell has just resigned, leaving TA just as players and their teams are starting to arrive Down Under. From his LinkedIn, here's a sense of what McDowell's responsibilities were:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FHrW-i2X0AQj5dM?format=png&name=small
Sallydaisy
07-01-2022, 13:11
The 3rd person who had arrived into Australia on an exemption has volunarily left the country.
It was an official apparently - no name given (yet).
Information via The Age:
Paul Sakkal@paulsakkal· (https://twitter.com/paulsakkal)45m (https://twitter.com/paulsakkal/status/1479429037101445122)
The third and final Australian Open participant (an official, not a player) who used same exemption as Djokovic has voluntarily left Australia@theage (https://twitter.com/theage)
lt makes me wonder whether this is a bigger issue than tennis. The Victoria State say they were told that a medical exemption was valid for players etc if they had had covid within 6 months. Are there people from other sports being let in on this type of medical exemption too?? The English cricket team has been playing the Ashes in Australia?????????????????????
Very interesting that Tom McDowell resigned shortly before all this happened. A little bit more. https://www.givemesport.com/1809199-australian-open-in-chaos-as-biosecurity-manager-resigns-just-weeks-before-tournament
A little bit more on Voracova
BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-59910838) - Djokovic visa row: Second player loses visa over vaccine status
The National (https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/tennis/2022/01/07/mayar-sherif-on-lookout-for-new-australian-open-doubles-partner-after-voracova-detained/) - Mayar Sherif on lookout for new Australian Open doubles partner after Voracova detained
Prior to travelling Down Under, players were sent an email by Tennis Australia detailing the process to obtain an overseas medical exemption certificate for those who are not fully vaccinated.
The email “contains an outline of valid reasons for temporary medical exemption, which now includes: Recent PCR-confirmed Covid-19 infection (after 31 July 2021), where vaccination can be deferred until six months after infection”.
Jon Wertheim on twitter
No one has covered themselves in glory. But sole author? It's now clear TA was trying to create pathways to subvert the states to get the votes...wait wrong scandal. It's now clear TA was trying to create pathways to subvert federal gov. get these players in.
Well I hope the tennis world can do something about what is happening in Novak's hotel now it is highlighted.
Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/07/everyone-asks-about-novak-but-mehdi-has-languished-for-nine-years-in-australian-immigration-detention) - ‘Everyone asks about Novak’ but Mehdi has languished for nine years in Australian immigration detention
From Paul McNamee on twitter.
So now Czech player Renata Voracova has been rounded up and detained like Novak. This is too much. It moved me to visit the Aussie Serbs outside the Park Hotel to present a Christmas gift. I’m also disgusted @MehdiAli98 (https://twitter.com/MehdiAli98)
about the refugees imprisoned there. I feel shame
From Sam Street on twitter
- Australian Border Force didn't know the rules until Wednesday.
- Victoria Government didn't know the rules.
- Canberra issued visa despite the rules
.- Tennis Australia knew the rules but ignored them.
- Novak Djokovic followed all the rules set out to him.
Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2022/01/07/even-nick-kyrgios-defending-novak-djokovic-australia-must-know/)- When even Nick Kyrgios is defending Novak Djokovic, Australia must know they have got this badly wrong
JAMES4578
07-01-2022, 16:35
The treatment of refugees in Australia certainly is far more concerning, whilst some criticsm can be made of the authorities in relation to Djokovic and others everyone knew Australia had a tough covid policy and some players at the end of the day made risky choices. Tennis Australia also has questions to answer.
Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2022/01/07/even-nick-kyrgios-defending-novak-djokovic-australia-must-know/)- When even Nick Kyrgios is defending Novak Djokovic, Australia must know they have got this badly wrongI take the opposite view, usually... If Nick is spouting off, he is generally talking nonsense.
And I assume that Mr McNamee has a vested interest?
From Chris Goldsmith on twitter
Artist impression of Roger Federer the next time Novak Djokovic is allowed to play at the Australian Open.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FIhm2ahXIAA-LNG?format=jpg&name=small
Tennishead (https://tennishead.net/novak-djokovic-visa-deportation-detainment-fresh-evidence-tennis-australia-leaked/) - Fresh evidence emerges of Tennis Australia’s role in Novak Djokovic detainment
Includes copy of letter from TA to players about exemptions.
The Age (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/we-need-them-tennis-australia-pleaded-for-vaccine-exemption-for-players-20220108-p59mqu.html)- We need them: Tennis Australia pleaded for vaccine exemption for players
For the first time on Friday night, Tennis Australia responded to criticism about its handling of exemptions attributing responsibility partly to Health Minister Greg Hunt.
The late night statement addressed reports that it had sent an information sheet to all players informing them one of the grounds to qualify for a medical exemption was if they had been infected with COVID-19 in the past six months.
The advice to players, dated December 7 and first reported in the Herald Sun, included a clause saying a recent infection “has now been clarified as a category for which you may be eligible for a temporary medical exemption”.
Tennis Australia’s response to those reports, sent at 10.14pm on Friday, said: “We reject completely that the playing group was knowingly misled. Informing players they could get into the country on a medical exemption was taken from the Smart Traveller website that Greg Hunt directly referred us to.”
However, the website does not now appear to include information about prior COVID infection being a valid vaccination exemption.
Sallydaisy
07-01-2022, 22:02
Quite a neat summary:
Sam Street@samstreetwrites·8h (https://twitter.com/samstreetwrites)
We seem to be here:
- Australian Border Force didn't know the rules until Wednesday.
- Victoria Government didn't know the rules.
- Canberra issued visa despite the rules.
- Tennis Australia knew the rules but ignored them.
- Novak Djokovic followed all the rules set out to him.
Sallydaisy
07-01-2022, 22:03
And I assume that Mr McNamee has a vested interest?
He used to be the TD for the AO ...
;)
BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-59920379) - Djokovic: Covid infection gave him vaccine exemption, lawyers say
Tennis star Novak Djokovic had a vaccine exemption to enter Australia after a Covid infection on 16 December, his lawyers say in court documents.
From Sasa Ozmo on twitter
The Victorian website for international travellers still lists a prior infection as a valid exemption criteria, three days after #Djokovic (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Djokovic?src=hashtag_click) was detained. https://coronavirus.vic.gov.au/information-overseas-travellers#travellers-who-are-not-fully-vaccinated (https://t.co/ZKwwuClimh)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FIj6AahXEAUC8De?format=jpg&name=medium
The 35 page legal document outlining Djokovic's case. https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-01/MLG%2035%20of%202022%20-%20Applicant%27s%20submissions.pdf
Understandably, given that he:
(1) held a visa unqualified by any relevant condition;
(2) had received certification of a medical exemption from vaccination from theTournament organiser, that certification being granted after review by a panelestablished by the Victorian State Government;
(3) had received from the Department of Home Affairs a document informing himthat he met the requirements for quarantine-free arrival,Mr Djokovic understood that he was entitled to enter Australia and Victoria and tocompete in the Australian Tennis Open.6
Nole had additionally got a Home Affairs document saying he met requirements.
Another thing has emerged - while Nole is at immigration in the middle of the night they agreed to give Nole time to rest and contact with respresentatives and resume at 8.30 am. Then before the 8.30 am they woke him up and cancelled his visa.
Even if an exemption due to having had COVID is OK, it’s only meant to be because that is stopping you being vaccinated, not that you never intended to be vaccinated and caught it anyway.
Even if an exemption due to having had COVID is OK, it’s only meant to be because that is stopping you being vaccinated, not that you never intended to be vaccinated and caught it anyway.
Even so Nole is being given a rough ride. He has also been quiet for a long time about this vaccine principals.
I don't think he is. I think he's a massive chancer and has been caught out.
exislander
08-01-2022, 13:29
I thought the Tennis Australia or AO22 information to players was to apply for exemption no later than 10th December to be submitted to the independent panels so it seems to be cutting it a bit fine to have a positive test result on 16th December.
RosieBear
08-01-2022, 14:30
Things going from bad worse because Novak is pictured attending a charity event with children on December 17th. Meaning:
A) he knew he was positive and went along anyway
B) was waiting for PCR confirmation of lateral flow positive and went along anyway
C) It's a fabricated claim that he tested positive on the 16th.
All these scenarios are horrible and undermine his legacy. If he can't seem to do the right thing from a social perspective you'd think he'd be concerned with the goat mantle, which he is rapidly relinquishing.
I've held back from saying anything till I could get a clearer picture in my mind; I've formed about 10 different opinions already based on each new fact that emerges, and I'm more confused than ever. However, the one thing I am clear about is the moment the word 'exemption' appeared in the mix, the trouble began. It immediately gave rise to the suspicion that the exemption process could be tailor made for Djok. And hey presto, next thing we're reading Djok is on his way to Aus with an exemption. But from there on, I can't make head nor tail of it other than no one comes out of it squeaky clean. And the latest, as outlined by Ana above, is appalling. So much explaining to be done and so many answers needed. Even if Djok is allowed to stay, how would he have the nerve to go on court in front of all those peeved Aussies? I think he's very naughty to even attempt to find a way round the vax mandate, you choose (and he did have a choice) not to get the vax, then you go with the consequences of that choice, which in his case was no vax, no AO. Just my thoughts only based on what little and perhaps sometimes unverified facts that have emerged to date. Methinks there will be a deal of fact twisting and spin before this is all over. We wait and see.
banskogirl
08-01-2022, 17:51
Even if an exemption due to having had COVID is OK, it’s only meant to be because that is stopping you being vaccinated, not that you never intended to be vaccinated and caught it anyway.
Glad it doesn’t work that way here! Don’t know how it can stop anyone getting a vaccine for 6 months though?
Things going from bad worse because Novak is pictured attending a charity event with children on December 17th. Meaning:
A) he knew he was positive and went along anyway
B) was waiting for PCR confirmation of lateral flow positive and went along anyway
C) It's a fabricated claim that he tested positive on the 16th.
All these scenarios are horrible and undermine his legacy. If he can't seem to do the right thing from a social perspective you'd think he'd be concerned with the goat mantle, which he is rapidly relinquishing.
Someone else on twitter posted that the event was on the 16th - the date on a post was Indian time so on the 17th, when it was the 16th in Serbia. He also may not have had results back before then.
But it would be totally unacceptable if Nole went to the event after knowing he tested positive.
edit: apparently Nole was in contact with a basketball player on 14th in Serbia who also later tested positive, dated 16th.
Times (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/novak-djokovic-has-solid-grounds-for-an-appeal-over-australia-detention-hdbbwppcz) - Novak Djokovic ‘has solid grounds for an appeal’ over Australia detention
A former deputy head of Australia’s immigration department said yesterday that Novak Djokovic had solid legal grounds for an appeal against the government’s decision to revoke his visa.
“If I were Mr Djokovic’s lawyer there would be three questions I would be asking,” Abul Rizvi, the former immigration official, told The Project television show. “The first: ‘If my client had not met all the legal requirements for a visa, why did you grant him a visa?’
The second question I would ask is: ‘If you had concerns about my client’s visa, why did you not cancel that visa prior to him boarding a plane to Australia?’
“The third question I would ask is: ‘Given that you granted my client a visa, and none of the circumstances prior to grant have changed since that time, on what basis can you cancel that visa?’”
From Paul Sakkal on twitter
A link to the livestream of Djokovic's appeal against his deportation - 10am Monday Australian time One of his team members told @theage (https://twitter.com/theage)
Djokovic would be relying on basic principles of administrative law, and that he was treated without procedural fairness by border officials
Australian Constitutional Law twitter page
Not a constitutional law case, but Djokovic v MInister for Home Affairs - on Monday- "will be conducted by remote access technology and can be observed by any member of the public" (read the instructions at this link) https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/gfl/courtlists/vic/melbourne/vic/melbourne
Again from Paul Sakkal on twitter
"Djokovic received a letter from Australia’s immigration department days before his arrival saying he met the requirements for quarantine-free travel."
Tennishead (https://tennishead.net/leaked-video-shows-aussie-open-chief-praise-staff-amid-djokovic-debacle/)- Leaked video shows Australian Open chief praise staff for ‘unbelievable job’ amid Novak Djokovic detainment controversy
The video was leaked by the Herald Sun, in which tournament director Tiley said “we’ve chosen at this point not to be very public with it and simply because there is a pending lawsuit related to entry into Australia. Once that has run its course, we’ll be able to share more with you.
“There’s a lot of finger-pointing going on and a lot of blaming going on, but I can assure you our team has done an unbelievable job and have done everything they possibly could according to all the instructions that they have been provided.
From twitter
@lequipe (https://twitter.com/lequipe)
, which named him the Champion of Champions for 2021, now reveals that ND took part in a photo shoot with the trophy in Belgrade on December 18th - two days after he took a test that turned out to be positive.https://lequipe.fr/Tennis/Article/Pourquoi-la-defense-de-novak-djokovic-a-melbourne-est-attaquable/1309286 (https://t.co/W0HHxHV9En)
HoopGirl
08-01-2022, 20:55
Things going from bad worse because Novak is pictured attending a charity event with children on December 17th. Meaning:
A) he knew he was positive and went along anyway
B) was waiting for PCR confirmation of lateral flow positive and went along anyway
C) It's a fabricated claim that he tested positive on the 16th.
All these scenarios are horrible and undermine his legacy. If he can't seem to do the right thing from a social perspective you'd think he'd be concerned with the goat mantle, which he is rapidly relinquishing.
This is shocking! And shows such a lack of awareness of the seriousness of COVID. I almost don’t know what to say here it’s so bad!
This is shocking! And shows such a lack of awareness of the seriousness of COVID. I almost don’t know what to say here it’s so bad!
It can take 2 days before taking a PCR test and getting the result, so if he took the test on 16th, so he may not have got the result until 18th. So at some point on the 18th is the likely date he was meant to start isolating. They don't have such good testing and covid rules and mask culture in Serbia then they do have here.
It can take 2 days before taking a PCR test and getting the result, so if he took the test on 16th, so he may not have got the result until 18th. So at some point on the 18th is the likely date he was meant to start isolating. They don't have such good testing and covid rules and mask culture in Serbia then they do have here.
You take a PCR test if you have symptoms. If you have symptoms you self isolate pending both test and result. Yes you count the days of self isolation from the date of the result but that's a different issue. Logical and not rocket science whatever the rules in Serbia. I wonder if he's a covid denier as well as anti vax, or at any rate someone who says "it's only flu".
WimbledonWestie
09-01-2022, 12:59
The tangled web of rules between Australian Border control, state and federal govt and tennis Australia make the varied Covid rules across the U.K. easy to figure out by comparison. Australian govt/ immigration isn’t coming out of this well- but neither is Djokovic. He seems to have applied for his online visa in November at which point he has no basis for exemption to enter the country, conveniently caught Covid in December- although AFTER the deadline of Dec 10th had passed - to get exemption to play the tournament- and even if he had no idea he was positive when attending those mid December events ( was it maybe a travel PCR he was waiting on which would explain not isolating awaiting results ? This is me trying to give benefit of doubt ) he has been filmed posing for photos in Belgrade with fans on 25/26 December when he should still have been isolating. So…..! To me , he’s gone out of his way to try and find some loophole to get to the open on his terms - basically I am Novak l should be allowed to play. Tennis Australia desperate to have him have bent over backward to let it happen ( overlooking 10 Dec deadline) - border control not playing the celebrity game have intervened. Now all very messy and while I prefer the big events to have all the big players- I hope the govt win on this one as otherwise he’s just going to continue trying to play the system as the tour moves round the world . Thought Rafa had it spot on- we all have the right to make choices so long as we remember our choices have consequences.
As an aside- could he not have messed up his paperwork circa 2014-2016 lol
You take a PCR test if you have symptoms. If you have symptoms you self isolate pending both test and result. Yes you count the days of self isolation from the date of the result but that's a different issue. Logical and not rocket science whatever the rules in Serbia. I wonder if he's a covid denier as well as anti vax, or at any rate someone who says "it's only flu".
He may have taken a PCR test on the 16th because he was notified the basketball player he had been in contact with on 14th had his positive result on 16th. Maybe he takes them regularly anyway or needed one for another reason e.g. to travel or to attend something. In UK you did not need to isolate or wear masks if in contact with somebody. But who knows. Maybe the truth will come out.
The Age (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/tiley-says-tennis-australia-was-caught-in-a-conflict-of-advice-between-state-and-commonwealth-20220109-p59mxq.html) - Tiley says Tennis Australia was caught in a conflict of advice between state and Commonwealth
Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley says the Commonwealth rejected a request to assess medical exemptions granted to tennis players weeks before they arrived in Australia.
The Australian Open director, speaking for the first time since Novak Djokovic was detained, told The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald he believed the decision to allow quarantine-free travel was a matter for Victoria and that Tennis Australia had been caught in a constant conflict of state and federal advice.
Tennis Australia and the Victorian government granted a handful of exemptions for unvaccinated players to enter the Open. The process was based on guidelines from the Commonwealth’s peak vaccine advisory body, Mr Tiley said, but tennis officials asked the federal government on two occasions in November to examine each exemption to ensure they would be accepted by federal officials at the border.
“They declined,” he said. “We asked if they could please assess our decisions. We said we’re going to need some help to make sure we’re doing the right thing. We’d be in a different situation today.”
.......
Despite Mr Hunt’s advice, Mr Tiley said he believed the Victorian government would approve whether a player would be required to quarantine. This view was informed by a letter from a federal Health Department official in early November saying “exemptions from vaccination will be at the discretion of the state”, as well as correspondence from Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton saying prior infection was grounds for quarantine-free travel.
“We were caught in this constant conflict between state and federal [advice] and this pandemic has highlighted that complexity,” Mr Tiley said.
“We believed that the [Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation] guidelines are what the exemptions [were based on] and it wasn’t the federal government approving the exemptions, it was the state.”
Summary on twitter by Paul Sakkal
-Federal officials said vax exemptions would be approved by Victoria
-CHO Brett Sutton said prior infection was valid exemption
-TA warned feds about Djokovic-style airport fiasco if docs weren't checked in advance
Daily Mail (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-10382489/Novak-Djokovic-scapegoat-Australian-public-sick-Covid-lockdowns.html) - VIEW FROM SERBIA: Novak Djokovic has become a SCAPEGOAT for an Australian public sick of Covid-19 lockdowns... the world No 1 is being used to score political points and his tennis stardom is being turned against him
Fox Sports (https://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/australian-open/novak-djokovic-court-case-australian-open-visa-medical-exemption-what-time-does-it-start/news-story/82632d826c0c39fcc299ab67969c30b9) - Every scenario laid out as Novak Djokovic hearing looms — and why this is FAR from over
Paul McNamee on twitter -
Novak Djokovic, perhaps the foremost athlete on the planet, is here to defend his title. He was approved to fly here by Tennis Australia, the Vic Govt & the Prime Minister himself. He followed our rules. If deported, our reputation as a great sporting nation may never be the same
Jenson Brooksby out of Oz Open as he and his coach have covid.
Novak’s appeal successful. Now we’ll see how the Australian public react to him.
I heard, earlier, about Novak's successful appeal and also the immigration minister could still take away his exemption visa.
Looks like Nole has been arrested again
From Sasa Ozmo on twitter
It looks like #Djokovic has been arrested in Melbourne. Democracy in it's full glow... twitter.com/ksenijapavlovi…
If the Australian public is outraged the best way to show it would be to stand and leave every time he comes on court.
I guess he's won on a technicality, so be it but to have such an influential figure, who believes in the power of water and positive thought to stay healthy, triumph in these circs is dangerous.
HoopGirl
10-01-2022, 08:46
Novak hasn’t been treated fairly by the Aussie system in all of this.
But there is still the ongoing issue of him not being vaccinated - and being anti vacc and having a disregard for the impact of COVID on others.
He’s huge in Serbia - and surely this is no coincidence that they have really low vaccine uptake.
Looks like Nole has been arrested again
From Sasa Ozmo on twitter
It looks like #Djokovic has been arrested in Melbourne. Democracy in it's full glow... twitter.com/ksenijapavlovi…
Paul Sakkal on twitter says Novak has not been rearrested but the Immigration Minister is still considering whether to recancel his visa.
Do we know for certain that the picture of Nole with kids was on the 17th December? It would be useful if that fact was made clear.
The first time I saw it on twitter, somebody who knew about the event said it was on 16th and pointed out that the post people were going by was posted on 17th December from India (or somewhere) where the time difference would have made it 16th (and I guess before Nole got his results) in Serbia. There has even been one picture going round from 17th December 2020.
What a mess. It turned out that Voracova got a 3 year ban from Australia.
From Paul McNamee on twitter.
She got deported for three years, but I’m informed she is likely to be entitled to the option to return for the doubles
Sallydaisy
10-01-2022, 10:13
Seems Nole may have left his lawyers office and free for now to play tennis.
BUT Immigration Minister could still re-arrest and deport him, although didn't take that action within the initial time frame of 4hrs.
This is what Paul Sokkal has just posted on twitter
Novak Djokovic will be a free man tonight
Govt wont make decision to deport him tonight per @Gallo_Ways (https://twitter.com/Gallo_Ways)
Immigration Minister had 4h to cancel before he was freed from detention
Decision to cancel can still be made but will be tomorrow or in days after
Sallydaisy
10-01-2022, 10:39
Clarification re that 4hr timelineKaren Sweeney
@karenlsweeney
Also, some clarification around the four hour timeline I've seen reported. That only applies if Djokovic is re-interviewed by immiration authorities. That hasn't happened. There's no four-hour limit on a decision.
Rosalind
10-01-2022, 10:55
Novak’s appeal successful. Now we’ll see how the Australian public react to him.
Personally I hope they respond by being completely silent. Nothing. Just me perhaps but that's what I like to see and hear.
I bet you this whole saga has been a COVID spreader event with so many people outside close together singing and chanting not wearing masks.
JAMES4578
10-01-2022, 11:38
Not over yet but will need to see if the Immigration Minister exercises his powers,though would likely end up in court again. Down to procedure and in the end Government agreed Djokovic had not been given sufficient time to respond, some of the other points were not fully explored in the findings. However few come out too well in this episode and if Novak plays would send out the wrong signal, though Nadal now saying he should be allowed to play. Though from early exchanges the Judge seemed to agree with many of Djokovic's lawyers points. At one point he questioned what more could Djokovic have done to prove the medical exemption and was somewhat agigitated why Australian officials did not accept the document.
Reports of re dedention obviously not accurate, apparently press conference with Djokovic and father at 1PM uk time.
See what this sort of affair can lead to...
https://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/international/were-here-to-play-wimbledon-say-channel-migrants-20220110216126
:pirate:
suttontennis
10-01-2022, 12:05
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-australia-59909477
two slightly differing views. If anything Novak feeds on all the negativity, he's been doing it for years. He's more likely to be damaged by playing Boris.
Nole's interview transcript
https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/95053/Parties-jointly-agreed-Transcript-of-Interviews-conducted-by-the-ABF.pdf
JAMES4578
10-01-2022, 15:18
Djokovic did not put in an appearance via video link for the family press conference in which there appeared to be some overblown claims. It was adjouned once they were asked about the event following the covid test. BBC Tennis (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-australia-59909477)
Sallydaisy
10-01-2022, 15:47
Djokovic didn't give a press conference but has tweeted as follows (retweeted by Russell Fuller (https://twitter.com/russellcfuller)):-
Novak Djokovic@DjokerNole· 2h
I’m pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation.
Despite all that has happened,I want to stay and try to compete @AustralianOpen I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans.
Nole has been practising on Rod Laver Arena this evening.
From an Ozzy immigration lawyer on BBC news feed - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-australia-59909477
Immigration lawyer Daniel Estrin told the BBC that Djokovic's case wasn't unusual. Estrin said he sees many clients deported after failing to provide further evidence in the 20-minute window allotted to them at the airport.
Unlike Djokovic though, they don't have the means to defend their cases.
Immigration minister Alex Hawkes has the power to cancel Djokovic's visa in the coming days, and Estrin said he thought it was likely it would be cancelled on a matter of principle.
Estrin said it was "appropriate that the minister is able to cancel the visas of high-risk individuals were it in the public interest to do so" and that was likely to be the justification used if Djokovic is deported.
BBC (http://Djokovic Covid timeline: Did he break rules after testing positive?) - Djokovic Covid timeline: Did he break rules after testing positive?
I couldn't believe it when i read that Novak's dad wanted the Queen to help Novak to get his exemption visa.
Patrick McEnroe has done a very good summary (around 20 minutes) - https://www.buzzsprout.com/989119/9862278
Apparently when immigration went to pick up Voracova she was swimming in her hotel swimming pool. 4 police officers went into the pool to arrest her!!!!!!
Also in this article Voracova was another one with a very recent covid infection before Xmas. https://sports.inquirer.net/446909/czech-tennis-player-renata-voracova-left-australia-after-visa-issues
Voracova was unvaccinated but had an exemption after becoming ill with COVID-19 before Christmas, around the time she had planned to get vaccinated following last season’s end, she told idnes.cz.
Tough luck for her as I don't believe you can be vaccinated within the first month of getting covid. Some say it should be longer.
From Chris Goldsmith on twitter (gif)
When Queen Elizabeth tells Melbourne resident Kylie Minogue that Mr Djokovic will have to be Lucky, Lucky, Lucky to stay in Australia despite his dad's plea........
https://twitter.com/i/status/1480673062546817026
https://twitter.com/i/status/1480673062546817026
https://twitter.com/i/status/1480673062546817026
CNN (https://edition.cnn.com/2022/01/11/tennis/bernard-tomic-covid-isolate-australian-open-spt-intl/index.html) - Bernard Tomic says he will test positive for Covid during Australian Open qualifying loss, told to isolate
"I am sure in the next two days I will test positive, I'm telling you," Tomic said.
"I will buy you dinner if I don't test positive in three days, otherwise, you buy me dinner.
"I cannot believe nobody is getting tested. They are allowing players to come on the court with rapid tests in their room ... no official PCR testing."
Tennishead (https://tennishead.net/voracova-opens-up-on-deportation-and-novak-djokovic-visa-restoration/) - ‘I didn’t know my rights’ – Voracova opens up on deportation and Novak Djokovic visa restoration
Renata Voracova “is not mad” at Novak Djokovic despite his visa being restored whilst hers wasn’t and has revealed that she “didn’t know she could appeal.”
RTL Today (https://today.rtl.lu/dossier/rugby/news/a/1845610.html) - Voracova wants compensation from Tennis Australia
The compensation request "won't be small," the 38-year-old Voracova, ranked 82nd in doubles, told the Denik daily.
"The air ticket alone cost 60,000 Czech crowns (2,460 euros, $2,780) and my coach travelled with me. And then there is all that time, hotels, training for the Grand Slam, the potential prize money."
"I hope Tennis Australia will face up to it and that we won't have to take legal steps," added Voracova, who said she had no appetite for tennis since landing in Prague on Monday.
"I'm not thinking about tennis. I'm still waking up from the shock, I haven't processed it yet. I'm exhausted," Voracova said.
She added she did not want to look back at what had happened in Melbourne.
"I didn't expect that in the darkest dream, it was just too much," said Voracova, who admitted bursting into tears during questioning after she had been detained.
"I was worried. I didn't feel safe until I was back home, nothing was certain."
"It was as if I were watching a film -- a long interrogation with instructions such as 'undress, get dressed'. Yuck, I don't even want to think about it, let alone live it again."
Novak admits breaching isolation rules AND that his visa was filled out incorrectly...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-59935127
RosieBear
12-01-2022, 09:17
Novak Djokovic couldn't lie straight in bed :rolleyes: It has now been established that he doesn't meet the criteria re previous travel so, whether a mistaken or a fraudulent declaration in his paperwork, he should not be allowed to stay. And I don't think he will be now this has come to light - authorities can't allow it to set a precedent or be seen to bend rules.
themass15
12-01-2022, 12:53
He has lost all credibility, I cannot believe he will now be allowed to stay. Wonder what will happen with his sponsors.
It has now been established that he doesn't meet the criteria re previous travel
Not managed to find that yet. Only just catching up. Where did you see this?
But it is disgraceful that he went along to see a journalist while knowing he is COVID positive. I consider his agent messing up his travel form as minor compared to that.
RosieBear
12-01-2022, 16:11
Not managed to find that yet. Only just catching up. Where did you see this?
But it is disgraceful that he went along to see a journalist while knowing he is COVID positive. I consider his agent messing up his travel form as minor compared to that.
Hi Cazza, it's to do with the trip to Marbella. The timings mean Djokovic would have had to be in Spain from 11.30pm on December 22 AEDT, (1.30pm Spanish time) to comply with the rules not to travel within two weeks of arriving in Australia. But Djokovic is known to have been in Belgrade week up to December 25 and left for Spain 31st Dec. Sorry, I can't remember the exact link setting it out, but it was an English language publication not a Serbian one - I'm looking at both but Serbia would never publish this.
Thanks. I have found one of the best sources of info as being Paul Sokkal from the Age but I have run out of free articles now. A lot of the journalists are using his info.
I'd bet that several tennis players would have disobeyed that travel rule.
Found a bit more in the Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/11/australian-border-force-investigating-whether-novak-djokovic-made-false-travel-claim
He has even broken his lawyers rules. lol
In a statement on Tuesday, Djokovic’s lawyers, Hall and Wilcox, confirmed he attended the court hearing at their Melbourne office – despite the firm’s policy requiring a Covid-19 vaccination – with “a medical exemption approved by our Covid officer and managing partner”.
Djokovic’s agent and lawyers have been contacted for comment.
Found a bit more in the Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/11/australian-border-force-investigating-whether-novak-djokovic-made-false-travel-claim
He has even broken his lawyers rules. lol
In a statement on Tuesday, Djokovic’s lawyers, Hall and Wilcox, confirmed he attended the court hearing at their Melbourne office – despite the firm’s policy requiring a Covid-19 vaccination – with “a medical exemption approved by our Covid officer and managing partner”.
Djokovic’s agent and lawyers have been contacted for comment.
The main draw is on Thursday am at 4.00 am UK time and should be live streamed.
Boris (the Becker one) has said Nole's family have not helped.
Tennishead (https://tennishead.net/they-didnt-help-boris-becker-condemns-djokovic-family-for-overreaching/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1642004676)- ‘They didn’t help’ – Boris Becker condemns Djokovic family for ‘overreaching’
From Sasa Osmo on twitter 30 mintues ago
Australian political journalist and commentator states that #DJokovic (https://twitter.com/hashtag/DJokovic?src=hashtag_click) will be deported tomorrow
*Tomorrow being today, it's 7AM in Australia right now.
Not seen this elsewhere yet.
Jon Wertheim has a good summary.
si.com (https://www.si.com/tennis/2022/01/12/mailbag-2022-australian-open-lead-up-title-winners-nadal-barty-anisimova) - Mailbag
Last week we had a 2022 tennis news quiz (https://www.si.com/tennis/2022/01/05/2022-predictions-tennis-major-winners-atp-wta). Then, of course, Hurricane Novak blew in. The view here: it’s not simply that no one is covered in glory, as the Brits say. It’s that all parties have disgraced themselves. Djokovic will have his loyal fans, but looked at objectively, his behavior was grotesque. Craig Tiley and Tennis Australia can try to play dumb or tell the players “Look how hard we advocate for you.” But looked at objectively, their behavior and corner-cutting was—at a minimum—irresponsible. The Australian government looks about as organized as, well, the American government, with federal and state agencies in conflict, biosecurity divisions clashing with migration divisions— and more leaks than an Indiana above-ground pool.
banskogirl
12-01-2022, 22:11
I just think it is sickening that he is still there. He arrived under false pretences. He had travelled to Spain when he shouldn’t have. He should be out. Anyone else who hasn’t been allowed in should start getting their case ready to sue if he’s allowed to play!
The men's draw is out!
https://ausopen.com/draws#!mens-singles
Andy plays Nikoloz Basilashvili again...
Evo plays David Goffin, and Cam Norrie plays Seb Korda.
Seb Korda is still in Covid isolation in his hotel so won't have had such a good preparation.
Mail (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10395435/Novak-Djokovics-Australian-Open-fiasco-set-captured-new-fly-wall-Netflix-show.html)- EXCLUSIVE: Novak Djokovic's Australian Open drama will be shown on NETFLIX! Film crew have explosive behind-the-scenes access to immigration saga which will be shown in a docuseries similar to F1's 'Drive to Survive' show
Latest from Paul Sakkal on twitter
Sources in Djokovic team saying they hope appeal can be heard over weekend and finalised by Sunday, if government re-cancels visa on Friday
One Liberal Party source said the government was leaning towards cancelling the visa and deporting
It is crackers there is no PCR testing for players. Lateral flow tests take longer to come up with positive result when one has covid. Tomic really did have covid the other day when playing.
Eurosport (https://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/australian-open/2022/bernard-tomic-tests-positive-for-covid-two-days-after-claiming-mid-match-that-he-was-suffering-from-_sto8707090/story.shtml) - BERNARD TOMIC TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID TWO DAYS AFTER CLAIMING MID-MATCH THAT HE WAS SUFFERING FROM SYMPTOMS
BBC News - Australia cancels Novak Djokovic visa
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-59991762
Sallydaisy
14-01-2022, 07:05
Novak's visa re-cancelled.
He could still mount a legal challenge but with so much information now in the open I'm guessing the OZ government will have put the terms of the cancellation together very carefully.
And they have timed it so he has very little time to sort out legalities.
If deportation goes ahead he risks also being barred from Oz for 3 years!
Will they arrest him?
Djokovic's visa has been cancelled!!!!!
Sallydaisy
14-01-2022, 07:36
Lots of comments:
Sean Ingle: Novak Djokovic’s visa cancelled again. His lawyers are expected to seek an immediate injunction to allow him to stay & play his first round pending an expedited trial next week.Spoke to a legal professor who said it was v.possible that he could be deported during the tournament
Steven: From the point of view of fairness to the other players, this would surely be the worst possible option - needs to get sorted in the next day or two so that either the draw stands or he gets replaced by a seed and it doesn't end up quite as unbalanced as this would make it
Stuart Fraser: Novak Djokovic remains in the Australian Open draw at the moment. Expect this to be the case until it becomes clear what his response to Hawke's decision is. For now he faces immediate arrest and detention.
From Paul Sakkal on twitter
Djokovic's lawyers are still considering their legal options
They were served documents at 6.03pm, after Hawke's decision
If they appeal, they want a streamlined trial with condensed time for written submissions and verbal evidence
They want trial completed by Sunday
This may not be very good for the Australian Open in the long term
Sasa Ozmo on twitter posted this.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FJAz4YFXwAoSUOg?format=jpg&name=900x900
Paul Sakkal on twitter
Djokovic been asked to present himself for an interview with immigration officials tomorrowGovt currently talking with his lawyers, per @Gallo_Ways (https://twitter.com/Gallo_Ways)
He will be staying out of detention until the interview and pending any legal action
I heard about Novak's visa being cancelled again. His lawyers will be going for an appeal, but, if Novak loses then he'll be banned from the Australian Open for the next three years I heard on radio five live.
Sallydaisy
14-01-2022, 08:36
, if Novak loses then he'll be banned from the Australian Open for the next three years
He might be denied a visa to enter Australia for 3 years ...
Sallydaisy
14-01-2022, 09:28
Just in from the federal circuit court on Djokovic vs the Minister for Immigration:
"A directions hearing will be conducted tonight at 8.45pm (Melbourne Time)
before Judge Anthony Kelly of the FEDERAL CIRCUIT COURT."
This hearing will be shown on YouTube. Starts in 25 minutes!
So much happening at the same time - need 3 live streams at the same time. Liam and Dan and this.
Sallydaisy
14-01-2022, 09:47
So much happening at the same time - need 3 live streams at the same time. Liam and Dan and this.
I'll not be bothering with that last one ... but Mike Dickson has a theory!
Melbourne's Federal Circuit and Family Court YouTube channel, it's the new Neighbours.
:taz:
Just in from the federal circuit court on Djokovic vs the Minister for Immigration:
"A directions hearing will be conducted tonight at 8.45pm (Melbourne Time)
before Judge Anthony Kelly of the FEDERAL CIRCUIT COURT."
This hearing will be shown on YouTube. Starts in 25 minutes!
link to the stream - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0spdeRtgTM
Sallydaisy
14-01-2022, 09:53
From the inimitable Nial Smith:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FJDcQ1qWYAUWDVo?format=jpg&name=medium
Sallydaisy
14-01-2022, 11:25
From journos on Twitter:
Eleanor Crooks:
Djokovic will be back in detention tomorrow morning and overnight Saturday.
Seems extraordinary that Hawke made his decision based on Djokovic's potential
to excite anti-vax sentiment and not the validity of the exemption or anything around that.
Andrew Burton:
I’ve been following the preliminary hearing for the last hour. We’ve just learned that Novak will be asked to present himself to the ABF tomorrow at 8am, will afterwards go to his lawyers’ offices until midday but will then be subject to detention.
Russell Fuller:
The Australian government will not deport Djokovic until the appeal hearing is concluded - which both parties would be happy to see take place on Sunday. We now await Judge Anthony Kelly’s return to court.
So Novak Djokovic will have to report for an interview with Border Force at 8am tomorrow, at which point he will almost certainly be detained. ABF officials will spend the morning with him at his lawyers’ office before returning him to an asylum hotel
:skippy:
Sallydaisy
14-01-2022, 12:00
Court hearing still on going - journalists twitter comments below:
Stu Fraser: Almost 11pm on a Friday night in Melbourne and the directions hearing is still ongoing. Judge Kelly getting cranky...
Jonathan Overend: Judge sounds massively annoyed now. Can't blame him.
Sasa Ozmo: Case has been moved to the Federal Court of Australia, Judge Kelly said.
Paul McNamee on twitter
Central argument for Minister appears to be that by him remaining, there is potential of inciting anti-vax sentiment, which is not in the public interest.
Maybe not relevant, but Djokovic did set up player vaccination hubs at two tournaments, so they could be double vaccinated
Interestingly, the journalist Sasa Osmo has been saying through all this mess that although Nole did not get vaccinated, once vaccinations started he kept quiet about his vaccine status and was not giving out antivax views information etc. It was the antivax people who are using Djokovic name and pictures etc. Not sure where an article relating to this is.
RosieBear
14-01-2022, 17:33
We still don't know how this unedifying debacle is going to be resolved but what's baffling me most is this: let's say Novak is allowed to play and by some miracle manages to put this mess out of his mind and win the tournament, how on earth can he want to win his 21st slam and all that the win would mean in these circumstances. His huge moment of glory booed by at least half the arena. I just do not get it. It's not like he wouldn't have a great chance to get the all important 21st at other slams. Madness.
From journos on Twitter:
Eleanor Crooks:
Andrew Burton:
Russell Fuller:
:skippy:
Eleanor's quote maybe says it all.
"Djokovic will be back in detention tomorrow morning and overnight Saturday.
Seems extraordinary that Hawke made his decision based on Djokovic's potential
to excite anti-vax sentiment and not the validity of the exemption or anything around that."
Is this the loophole? I fear he will get away with this again but hope I'm wrong. Hopefully I just have a suspicious mind. :shrug:
Sallydaisy
14-01-2022, 17:54
It's not like he wouldn't have a great chance to get the all important 21st at other slams. Madness.
That might depend on whether the other 3 Slams insist on everyone being vaccinated.
I know RollyG have said there could be exemptions but that's in the face of Macron
announcing a zero tolerance approach to unvaccinated folks in France.
Can't have it both ways ... and that's really the nub of the problem in OZ.
I still have an uneasy feeling that somehow Djoko will wriggle out of this......
banskogirl
14-01-2022, 19:10
We still don't know how this unedifying debacle is going to be resolved but what's baffling me most is this: let's say Novak is allowed to play and by some miracle manages to put this mess out of his mind and win the tournament, how on earth can he want to win his 21st slam and all that the win would mean in these circumstances. His huge moment of glory booed by at least half the arena. I just do not get it. It's not like he wouldn't have a great chance to get the all important 21st at other slams. Madness.
I don’t think he would care, his instincts in the past have given him wins, whilst he lost fans. IMHO
Sallydaisy
14-01-2022, 21:37
Apparently plans are in place for Nole to defend his title via Zoom.
https://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/djokovic-to-defend-title-via-zoom-20220114216290#Echobox=1642160185
Apparently plans are in place for Nole to defend his title via Zoom.
https://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/djokovic-to-defend-title-via-zoom-20220114216290#Echobox=1642160185
:rolling:
From @sventennis on twitter April 24th 2021
I want to thank @SerbiaOpen2021 @atptour #DenisZivkovic @DjokerNole #djordjedjokovic and especially people of #Belgrade #Serbia for offering us the opportunity to take our vaccine! Today I got my first part of the #Pfizer vaccine.
From Stu Fraser on twitter
Court documents starting to drop. More background here behind the decision to cancel Novak Djokovic's visa for a second time. Some very interesting inclusions and frankly wider than I had initially thought it would be.
https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/services/access-to-files-and-transcripts/online-files/djokovic/filed-documents/Sealed-Affidavit-Bannister-1512022.pdf
An early minor victory for Novak Djokovic's legal team. Confirmed that the hearing will be held in front of a full court of three judges tomorrow, which limits the Australian government's ability to appeal if it doesn't go their way.
From Sasa Ozmo on twitter
Per my sources, there were nine people in connection with the #AusOpen (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hashtag_click) who were granted a medical exemption, but only three fall in the players/coaches category: #Djokovic (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Djokovic?src=hashtag_click), Voracova and the guy you will soon read an interview with.
Newsline (https://newsline.news/croatia-coach-expelled-from-australia-if-it-wasnt-for-novak-this-would-not-have-occurred-to-) -Croatia coach expelled from Australia: If it wasn’t for Novak, this would not have occurred to me
Stu Fraser on twitter
The timing of the OOP tomorrow will be interesting as it will have an impact on the course of action that is followed in the draw if Djokovic's appeal fails.
Before the OOP: Seeds are rejigged and a LL comes in
After the OOP: A LL replaces Djokovic, leaving an unbalanced draw
JAMES4578
15-01-2022, 17:52
The Djokovic hearing will be heard by a full court, i.e. Three Judges https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/tennis/novak-djokovic-court-hearing-live-stream-start-time-deportation-from-australia/news-story/3f8977b51a360d2818a80dc3c8947772 Considered tougher to overturn this time due to the scope of Minister's power under Migration Act but the world no1 does have skilled counsel, Government needs to avoid any legal error.
Speedy Hawk
16-01-2022, 07:04
Nole just lost appeal. Deported. Just see bbc live text.
Edit: updated link added
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-60014059
RosieBear
16-01-2022, 08:10
Thank goodness this is finally resolved. The right decision, in my view. I don't necessarily agree with Australia's draconian policies but the crux of the matter is that nobody is above the law.
I'd love Andy to be the one to capitalise on Novak's absence, but that's probably wishful thinking. You never know though, if he can play his way in and up his level and confidence :peace:
At last we can concentrate on the tennis!
I agree with RosieBear about it being the right decision. He wouldn't have had to pay his lawyers costs and the Australian taxpayers costs if he thought to himself, at the beginning, that Australia won't allow any unvaccinated players in so I won't bother playing there. I remember another male tennis player claiming that he hadn't been vaccinated and therefore wouldn't be turning up to play.
JAMES4578
16-01-2022, 11:34
I watched most of it and think on balance the right outcome (though at same time somewhat uncomfortable with powers than can be misued in some circumstances) . Decision not based on merits but if the law had been properly applied in reaching it. However Government were basically making different arguments this time on Health/Public Order and was not focused on if the exemption was valid. Djokovic's behaviour that came to light did not help, though Government did not blame him on travel declaration "error".Part of Djokovic's defence was Government did not consider counter arguments re protests if he was deported and they did not seek Novak's current view on Covid vaccines with public statements being in 2020. Reports earlier that Djokovic had submitted loads of scholary articles on natural immunity. Government lawyer said they think he would have offered much more information and he had plenty of time to be vaccinated before infection so could assume views were much the same. Lack of evidence aso mentioned but chief justice said you do not necessarily need material for evidence, can use conjecture and common sense. . Think would have been better if Border Force had not made procedural error,though can not be sure if first hearing woud have been upheld otherwise. others wondering why he got a visa in the first place.
Many players though coming to Novak's defence,even if they do not agree with his vaccination stance. Andy said he did not like him being in detention .
I think if Nole was to be deported then it should have been because he failed immigration rules. The misuse of powers in Australia is not good and there is no way that Djokovic is a risk to public health and he didn't try and encourage the antivax movement. Not having a vaccine does not mean that you are antivax. What Nole did in Serbia meeting a journalist while PCR positive (and lateral flow negative) was disgraceful and foolish but shouldn't it be Serbia punishing him for that.
Tennis Australia will have some questions to answer. Voracova is requesting Tennis Australia pay her costs or will take them to court. What will Djokovic do?
Greg Rusedski says on twitter.
This whole mess with Novak could have easily been avoided. If the Australian Open and Victorian Government would have said no medical exemptions are allowed to participate. You have to be double vaaxed or you cannot participate. Why did this not happen?
He wouldn't have had to pay his lawyers costs and the Australian taxpayers costs if he thought to himself, at the beginning, that Australia won't allow any unvaccinated players in so I won't bother playing there.
Djokovic had been told that he would be allowed in, otherwise he would not have gone. It was Tennis Australia and the Victorian State that said he could have a medical exemption to play and the Federal Government told Victorian Government they can do what they like and others were let in with the same exemption - that is until Nole made that social media post and the Federal government changed the rules while he was in midflight.
I think if Nole was to be deported then it should have been because he failed immigration rules. The misuse of powers in Australia is not good and there is no way that Djokovic is a risk to public health and he didn't try and encourage the antivax movement. Not having a vaccine does not mean that you are antivax. What Nole did in Serbia meeting a journalist while PCR positive (and lateral flow negative) was disgraceful and foolish but shouldn't it be Serbia punishing him for that.
Tennis Australia will have some questions to answer. Voracova is requesting Tennis Australia pay her costs or will take them to court. What will Djokovic do?
Greg Rusedski says on twitter.The Supreme Court decided that, rightness or wrongness aside, the Australian Government had the right to do what they did with regard to the second visa cancellation, and so did not misuse their powers. And the perceived threat was more to Public Order than Public Health IMO.
The Supreme Court decided that, rightness or wrongness aside, the Australian Government had the right to do what they did with regard to the second visa cancellation, and so did not misuse their powers. And the perceived threat was more to Public Order than Public Health IMO.
By misuse I meant that the government was doing what they were allowed to do, knowing full well Dkojovic did not pose a public order or health risk, to gain votes in their next election.
Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/16/such-a-mess-andy-murray-tennis-world-react-novak-djokovic-deportation-australia) - ‘Such a mess’: Andy Murray and tennis world react to Djokovic’s deportation
Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/16/serbias-leaders-hit-out-at-scandalous-treatment-of-novak-djokovic) - Serbia’s leaders hit out at ‘scandalous’ treatment of Novak Djokovic
BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/60014739)- Novak Djokovic 'extremely disappointed' with Australia court decision
BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/59995538) - Novak Djokovic: What next for 20-time Grand Slam champion after Australia row?
The Supreme Court decided that, rightness or wrongness aside, the Australian Government had the right to do what they did with regard to the second visa cancellation, and so did not misuse their powers. And the perceived threat was more to Public Order than Public Health IMO.
I watched most of it as well and agree with this. From what I saw Djokovic lawyers possibly made an error stating that if Djokovic's visa was cancelled there could be a greater threat to Covid because of the ensuing protests it would cause. In a way, stating that he should be allowed to stay because if not there would be protests that could spread covid.
So, perceived threat to Public Order and Public Health. This was only one part of the whole thing of course and I did miss small parts and didn't see the verdict. Anyway, I too am glad it's over and we can focus on the tennis.
Well one side still does not know what the other is doing in Australia
From Paul Sakkal on twitter
PM Scott Morrison says today Djokovic case was "about someone who sought to come to Aus & not comply with entry rules at our border"
Minister Hawke's reasons to deport had nothing to do with border rules - it solely focussed on alleged risks associated with his anti-vax stance
Sallydaisy
17-01-2022, 10:48
Latest from RollyG
Saša Ozmo@ozmo_sasa·36m (https://twitter.com/ozmo_sasa)
The latest news from France is that unvaccinated players won't be able to play at Roland Garros.
No surprise if that's the case - or that there has been something of a u-turn.
On 7th January the French Sports Minister said that (https://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/roland-garros/2021/novak-djokovic-can-play-in-french-open-without-a-vaccine-french-sports-minister-roxane-maracineanu_sto8696583/story.shtml), subject to certain conditions, unvaccinated players would be allowed to participate at RG.
This came 2 days after President Macron announced that he wanted to make life 'difficult' for unvaccinated residents (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59873833) of, and visitors to, France by putting laws in place to prevent them from many activities.
With the decision in Australia and probable discussions amongst ATP Tour Directors and the Grand Slams/ITF it's likely that more events will decide not to allow unvaccinated persons to participate whether player, support staff or other.
Now confirmed with Reuters. There was a rule change in France on Sunday.
Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/no-vaccine-no-french-open-djokovic-says-french-sports-ministry-2022-01-17/?taid=61e549dccb3ba40001201103&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter) - No vaccine, no French Open for Djokovic, says French Sports ministry
The rules could change by then though - May is a long way away in a pandemic.
Some scientists saying Omicron could be paving the way for the end of the pandemic. They are also saying a double dose of vac is not that effective against that variant anyway. So who knows what will be happening then.
BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60025236) - Djokovic back in Serbia after Australia deportation over visa row
Sallydaisy
17-01-2022, 15:27
BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60025236) - Djokovic back in Serbia after Australia deportation over visa row
via Dubai ... wonder what the rules are in Serbia for travellers incoming?
:getcoat:
RosieBear
17-01-2022, 17:19
The rules could change by then though - May is a long way away in a pandemic.
Some scientists saying Omicron could be paving the way for the end of the pandemic. They are also saying a double dose of vac is not that effective against that variant anyway. So who knows what will be happening then.
I don't see this changing. It's political as well as medical - Macron vowing to come down hard on the unvaccinated is central to his campaign for reelection on 24th April. He won't undermine that by lifting RG regs a few weeks later. Looks like Wimbledon will be Novak's first slam appearance this year, unless he caves of course, which I don't think he will.
Sallydaisy
17-01-2022, 18:03
Looks like Wimbledon will be Novak's first slam appearance this year, unless he caves of course, which I don't think he will.
I'm sure Mr Wimbledon will be thinking long and hard about what to do ...
:shades:
Tennis Head (https://tennishead.net/family-serbian-pm-brand-novak-djokovic-deportation-as-scandalous/) - Family and Serbian Prime Minister blast Novak Djokovic’s deportation as ‘scandalous’
Mail (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10417037/Novak-Djokovic-bombshell-Claims-Tennis-Australia-pay-legal-costs.html) - Bombshell in Novak Djokovic case as it's claimed Tennis Australia is paying for the Serbian superstar's legal fees - meaning YOU are paying up big
Tennis Australia is reportedly paying for Novak Djokovic's $500,000 legal fees.
The company is funded by taxpayers with revenue said to 'go back into the sport'.
Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/18/tennis-australia-board-breaks-silence-to-commend-craig-tiley-following-novak-djokovic-saga) - Tennis Australia board breaks silence to ‘commend’ Craig Tiley following Novak Djokovic saga
Sallydaisy
19-01-2022, 15:11
Now confirmed with Reuters. There was a rule change in France on Sunday.
Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/no-vaccine-no-french-open-djokovic-says-french-sports-ministry-2022-01-17/?taid=61e549dccb3ba40001201103&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter) - No vaccine, no French Open for Djokovic, says French Sports ministry
I'm sure Mr Wimbledon will be thinking long and hard about what to do ...
:shades:
The Grand Slams are making their plans plain ...
ROLAND GARROS: The ATP have sent out an email informing players about France's new Covid-19 rules - and it looks like bad news for anyone who's still unvaccinated
https://www.tennismajors.com/roland-garros-news/atp-inform-players-about-travel-in-france-non-vaccinated-players-will-be-unable-to-compete-529790.html
WIMBLEDON:
From the Daily Mirror - Novak Djokovic facing Grand Slam ban as Wimbledon refuse to guarantee entry. https://t.co/idW8ejSyKd
I can't see Wimbledon getting much stricter than government guidelines, especially as covid rules are being relaxed and covid passports not needed soon in the UK. It makes a good news story for the papers though.
HoopGirl
19-01-2022, 22:05
I’m glad they are tightening things up so there are so loopholes like there was this time.
Everyone now will know where they stand.
JAMES4578
20-01-2022, 11:16
Shocking if Tennis Australia are paying Djokovic's legal fees. Not so long ago I heard Wimbledon just say they would follow Government guidelines though will need to see . Organisations can still use the Covid Pass in England if they wish but will no longer be mandatory,different in Scotland/Wales/Northern Ireland. obviously France will have tough rules for atheletes on covid vaccinations.
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