Australian top tennis player Nicholas Kyrgios condemned his government for the “really bad” handling of Serbian champion Novak Djokovic’s visa cancelation on Friday, imploring Canberra …
Australian top tennis player Nicholas Kyrgios condemned his government for the “really bad” handling of Serbian champion Novak Djokovic’s visa cancelation on Friday, imploring Canberra to “do better.” Kyrgios’ criticism of the situation – in response to Djokovic allegedly having insufficient documentation to receive an exemption from the national coronavirus vaccine mandate, Border Force tossed him into a notoriously inhumane migrant detention center –is notable both because he is the first high-profile Australian tennis player to weigh in on the situation and because of years of criticism and personal conflict with Djokovic. Kyrgios has also been a vocal proponent of social distancing measures and vaccines, and has arguably taken a considerable career hit by missing tournaments throughout 2020 out of concern over the Chinese coronavirus pandemic. Djokovic, in contrast, attempted to organize his own tournament in 2020, the Adria Tour, that abruptly ended when Djokovic and several other players at the event tested positive for coronavirus. The tour prompted widespread outrage and ridicule after videos surfaced of Djokovic and others partying at a night club during the event at the height of the first wave of the pandemic. Australian authorities apprehended Djokovic and moved him into a migrant facility shortly after his arrival in Melbourne this week. Djokovic himself had stated in a social media post that he had received a medical “exemption” to coronavirus vaccines and evidence suggests that he present paperwork from Tennis Australia, the country’s governing tennis body, upon arrival. The prime minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, confirmed that the country had revoked Djokovic’s visa to enter on the grounds that existing paperwork was not sufficient to grant him a vaccine exemption. Djokovic was traveling to attend the Australian Open, one of four Grand Slam tennis tournaments. Djokovic has won the Australian Open nine times, more than any other male player.
