Novak Djokovic wants to participate in the Australian Open – he wants a shot at his 21st major tennis title. However, the Australians have a precondition that he is not willing to fulfil. The Aussies need everyone entering into their borders to be vaccinated but Djokovic is a known vaccine sceptic (anti-vaxxer in common parlance). So it’s a faceoff. Djokovic announced that he had a ‘medical exemption’ but the Australians have remained firm; cancelling his visa twice.
This is the second time his visa has been revoked. Earlier a court had quashed a revocation that would release him from detention – on 10 Jan. On 14th Jan, the country’s Immigration Minister revoked the tennis player’s visa using his discretionary powers. The country has a 90% vaccinated adult population and has stringent rules in place to prevent the entry of unvaccinated people.
And feel that the actions of the Australian authorities are excessive, even ridiculous.
British broadcaster and politician Nigel Farage came out in support of the tennis player; calling the actions of the Aussies ‘authoritarian’.
Some believe that the Australians are just being unreasonable and peevish and small-minded.
….He’s a great guy! Now let him play tennis.
Boris Becker expressed the view that this was just political powers using sportspeople as pawns for their own ends.
There are a lot of vaccine sceptics out there who are seen as a danger to public health. People don’t have a lot of sympathy for them – even if they are top tennis stars.
This tweet kicked off a vigorous debate about the pros and cons of Djokovic’s actions/beliefs.
There are many who believe Djokovic would be endangering others since as an elite athlete he would come into contact with many, many others, some who could be immune-compromised.
Then there are those who believe that this is just another rich, powerful man expecting special treatment while flouting rules that apply to others.
… Are choosing to abide by the rules. In fact most are.
Djokovic has supported the following of rules --- in other instances.
….We’ve seen before how tennis associations helmed my men tend to have different yardsticks for women and their actions.
A lot of Djokovic fans just want him to use his power for good.
…Just wanted to make/share memes.
While many supported the tennis player, there were calls for Djokovic to go home, and #IdonotStandwithDjokovic.
Djokovic had earlier become infected and his charity event had become something of a superspreader event.
He is also said to have made misstatements on his form and then tried to explain this away as inadvertent or a 'mistake'. The Don’t Look Up memes were inevitable.
The scientific community is unanimous in their calls for people to get vaccinated. Yes, the vaccinated can get infected as well as the unvaccinated. But the difference between the two types of infection is about the same as a random tennis enthusiast playing tennis and Novak Djokovic playing tennis.
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
