The Gays and Tennis Part 104: about to begin the 2022 season!

Welp, Rublev has just tested positive for Covid.

I believe there are 6 events scheduled for next week

Thanks for the thread OP! Do we know if Novaxxx has said anything new about AO? Will he play?

R3 just looked and nothing yet. Surely we'll know very soon though as players have to start arriving if they're going to play

Anybody knows Wawrinka is an alcoholic?

Thiem has withdrawn from the AO.

Oh no R6. I’ve been missing our beloved Domicakes.

Who will be the random winner of the WTA Australia Open? Is Peng Shuai playing? Will Mary! Joe Fernandez God Is Sick resume the ass kissing of CoCo 🐐 again?

Update on Novak

So Djokovic has pulled out of the ATP Cup in Sydney and, if he plays the AO, he'll have to play it without any warmup events. Much as I hate the man, if anyone can pull out a win without any warmup events, it's him.

My real question, though, is whether he's going to declare himself double-vaxxed or whether he's going to be "medically exempt" from vaccination. Again, if anyone can pull off a medical exemption, he's certainly the man with the ways and the means.

Maybe he’s been inoculated?

Nole.

Mole.

is Thiem going to retire? A year later he still doesn't seem to give a shit about playing

Who is top players for Aussie Open?

[quote] Anybody knows Wawrinka is an alcoholic?

Do you suspect he is?

Taitsyass

From the previous thread: looks like Tiley’s got balls and won’t stand for bullies or sneaks.

if that's true, R17, I am truly shocked and was dead wrong. I thought Novak would play no matter what.

Senk you, God! Senk you! My Rogi will finally let me eat a meal again. I have not been fed since he threw a party after the USA Open final.

Poor, poor, poor NoVaxxx. We're still just not that into you!

wonder what medical exemption he tried to claim, anyone know?

If true they are not buying it, I'm going to have so much delicious schadenfreude.

Djokovic is such a little prick

Damm!! Titsy @ R16!

r18, it [italic]is[/italic] just the Serbian media reporting this at the moment. Until more official sources report it, I can only keep my fingers crossed and hope it's true.

r21: I bet he tried the "My body is a temple and I can't defile it with unnatural chemical poisons" line.

The serbian media reported the Australian Open asked for an exception for him, something that's not true. They are not a reliable source

Nole is risking a lot. Now he is the favourite, by Roland Garros everything could be different

Does he imagine any of the other slams will be more accommodating? Does his weird vaxx fetish trump his ambition?

Even if they accomodate he won't be the strong favourite in five months. Times are changing and he can't be that blind to not realize

he's gonna get covid.

JokerBitch is now of the age that Rafa, Fed and Murray started to pick up chronic injuries that severely limited their opportunities for Grand Slams going forward. Let's all just hope that this is true of Nole too.

Do any of you kind bitches have updates on DL tennis boyfriends Hubie Hurkacz, Marty Fucsovics, Tommy Paul and Young Grigor?

Hubie's in Sydney prepping for the ATP Cup.

Lots of Hubi Instagram pics like this one and out on adventures with the boys. None at all with any GF....

lmfao I hope it's true. If so, good for Australia. I actually think the other slams might be more accommodating especially US Open because of so many dumbass unvaccinated Americans. Ideally I'd like all 4 slams to say all players must be vaccinated

Shapo:

[quote] Freedom 🔥

Martina and her wife being shown during a real housewives' argument is so weird lol

Is Yokohama playing WTA Australia Open? Or is it still too traumatized by having spent 18 hours a day on Insta and Twitter talking about how press interviews caused its mental illness?

She is back and she seems happy to be back. And you know what that means, another GS for her. She plays focused very few times but she is pretty effective those times

Domicakes’ year-end message.

No Australian Open for Granny V.

^ thank God, it was getting embarrassing

sad about Venus

Nadal is in Australia now btw

Djokovic still hasn't announced. I hope they don't give him a medical exemption. If so Australia deserves the most criticism ever. You can't allow 1 fucking athlete to be put in a special category above everybody else. He needs his shots or he shouldn't be allowed to enter the country

ATP Cup about to start

Group C is group of DEATH! Canada, Germany, UK, US

none of the other groups come close

If everyone else apart from Djokovic is already in Australia for the Open, why is Djokovic still in Spain?

Either he has no intention of playing or he has decided to do some kind of dramatic last minute arrival, but either way it's just an example of his awful, awful need for attention.

R44 it means he's likely trying to argue for a medical exemption and Australia hasn't ruled yet.

Hubi vs Tsitsipas on the ATP Cup's first day slate, PCB on now looking good.

Is NoVaxx's medical exemption that it contraindicates his PEDs?

[quote] Is NoVaxx's medical exemption that it contraindicates his PEDs?

Heart condition.

R45 No it doesn't. If he had a genuine reason for a medical exemption he'd be screaming very loudly about it. "I think I'm too important to be vaccinated" is not a valid reason for an exemption.

R48 I'm not supporting Djokovic at all but I think he's waiting for their ruling. Australia hasn't announced it. I can see him pleading with the authorities. Remember during the USO I think he said he spoke to the NY governor. Djokovic's ego is massive.

I wonder if Novak will get covid.

Well, he already had it back in June

If at first you don't succeed...

that was June of 2021. He could definitely get covid again with either omicron or delta variants

*June of 2020 after the disastrous exhibition he hosted

R15 I've read some comments. And in some article .I remember when he was divorcing from his wife, I read that he was domectic abuser and drinks a lot(the wife was accusing him of). I cannot find any of it now on the net. And on youtube some guy said that djoko had luck because Stan turned into alcoholism in late 2019. Which I find weird because in 2020AO he was in good condition.

*domestic abuser

Garin looks hot today but he's playing like shit and RBA is too consistent

Poor Granny Vee. Great Auntie Ree isn't playing either. Is 2022 the last year for them both?

R58 I think the sisters will play Miami, Wimbledon, and retire at USO together. I won't be expecting much, but Vee actually looked good in Australia last year (wins over Rus, Flipkens and a very close loss to Kvitova) before she got that painful-to-watch injury that ruined her whole season. Serena too at the AO, beating Halep and Sabalenka back to back before falling to eventual champ Osaka. I would like to see them retire healthy and on their own terms.

Garin is honestly one of the hottest players but his confidence is so low when he's not on clay.

Hey Gays, don't forget about ME! Your favorite!

Greek toilet cheat injured.

Tshitshipash

Tsitsipas is an arsehole.

Pulled out of doubles with an injury that got loads of attention after he went out in public with it on ice.

Then played the doubles after saying he was too injured to play it.

Then pulls out of singles saying he's injured.

He's a complete twat.

Raducanu withdraws from her scheduled event this week

Shapovalov not playing tonight. Still suffering aftereffects of Covid, apparently.

and like Tsitsipas yesterday, Shapovalov is playing doubles now

Venus is irrelevant.

She was going to waste a wild card .

I think it is good that she is not playing.

Venus needs to retire and find a nice woman to settle down with. She's just embarrassing herself the last 3 years. She's like a professional 3rd round player.

It’s doubles match

the ladies' Adelaide draw is insane. A mix of top players and real hacks

Barty gets a bye and then will likely face Gauff who drew a qualifier

Badosa #4 seed and draws Azarenka with winner to very likely play Kvitova

#5 Swiatek gets a qualifier but then will face either Fernandez or Alexandrova

Sakkari and Rybakina section is quite weak though Rogers and Zidansek could upset

#2 Sabalenka has easy ride until the QF when she should face #8 Svitolina

So right-wing nutjob Isner will get vaccinated but Novak won't?

The UGOAT returns and takes down Medvedev in Sydney in a 3-set thriller!

R71 I think Isner is more of an establishment repub who will always vote for the candidate with an R next to the name. He seems like someone who grew up in that kind of family and never questioned it. So he'll keep watching Fox, ranting about socialism and voting for the likes of DeSantis but he's not going to go as far as "we're awaiting the return of JFK in Dallas" I bet if asked Isner would say he's vaccinated and believes in it but thinks it's "a personal choice"

DeMinaur beat Berrettini in two sets.....whaaaat?

Looks like Djokovic isn't going to play but the Aus Open organisers won't confirm it as it'd affect ticket sales.

not a shock as hardcourts are Berrettini's worst surface. He only has titles on grass and clay. Despite his huge serve and forehand he's prone to losing to anyone inside the top 30 on hardcourts

[quote] Hey Gays, don't forget about ME! Your favorite!

Hey, Ley to the Low to the... Your five minutes are up, forehead. Take your windmillin' arms, your saggy tittays and your ugly ass forehead back to Canuckland. I'm sure they need some nannies or maids or janitors up there and you can consider applying.

I am the GOAT of all tennis and 2022 is gonna be the year of my coronation. I am going to sweep the Grand Slam, send Hiroshima's drama queen ass back to her therapist, kick Borety's ass back to Kangarooland, remove all of Pliskbot's batteries, send Granny Vee and Great Aunty Ree to the Shade Throwin' Pines Retirement Home, knock Cuntapenko's teeth out and deep fry Shelby Wonder Bread Rogers to a crisp. Oh and I'm also gonna take out a restraining order on Mary Joe God Sick.

This decade belongs to me, maple leaf! The world will worship me. Go drown in maple syrup and poutine, forehead!

Italy stupidly at the last second replaced Fognini in the deciding doubles tie with Berrettini. Sexy Matteo was already tired and unconfident after the singles loss to De Minaur, not to mention he has no doubles instincts and never played with Bolelli.. meanwhile Fognini won the doubles slam at the AO a few years ago with Bolelli. Dumb.

Australia win the tie 2-1 which is probably good for ticket sales and TV, but really with 2 top ten singles players and other good players in singles and doubles like Sonego & Fognini, and no Kyrgios and Millman for AUS, it's pretty embarrassing for ITA.

men's Melbourne draw is out

Nadal is top seed and could play Giron in rd 2

Goffin is finally playing again as #4 and could face Kyrgios in rd2

Dimitrov # seed and could play WC Murray in rd2

Opelka is #2

Hey CaCa! I get that you're jealous. I mean, when was the last time you were in a Grand Slam final? Oh right, NEVER. Oh well, when you lose in the third round like you usually do, maybe you can use your free time to find your neck - it seems to be missing. Kisses!

Opelka is #2?

Is Opelka top player?

Or is Opelka journeyman?

So many DLers on Twitter:

[quote]So many DLers on Twitter

I don't know if they're DL'ers but 'Tennis Twitter' does seem to consist mostly of gay men and (straight) women

lol that meme is perfect and yes there are a lot of gay tennis fans.

On Tennisforum it's mostly gay guys and some women

on Menstennisforums it's mostly male, some straight, some openly gay and many closeted types

Who are the unvaccinated players? Novak, Herbert, Simon, Pospisil.

Simon must be vaccinated as he's the top seed at the Traralgon challenger this week

the ladies' Melbourne set 1 draw is out and it's got some interesting matches

Osaka is top seed and opens against Cornet

#5 Samsonova faces Petkovic

#2 Halep gets a qualifier

Um, I'm like, much, like better now. I was like depressed and like, I'm not anymore.

Not surprised by loss of FAA against Taylor

He lost to a doubles iplayer in the Olympics..

RBA def. Ruud 6-4 7-6(4)

RBA is looking strong. Stepping into Rafa's shoes as the Spanish #1 very well.

Rybakina eats a breadstick in set 2 and Sakkari eats a bagel in set 2, but both defeat their respective opponents and avoid the upset. Lots of rust going on so far.

Genie bagged a Pittsburgh Steeler. Nice work.

[quote] Rybakina eats a breadstick in set 2 and Sakkari eats a bagel in set 2

Sounds so fattening!

Is thiem vaxxed? I remember he said he was waiting for some a brand of vaccine to be approved. But he got covid in UAE right? I can't remember.

[quote] Genie bagged a Pittsburgh Steeler. Nice work.

She’s penciled in for a divorce like I was!

Thiem claimed he was vaccinated sometime last year. Then got a mysterious illness in the Middle East and pulled out of all tournaments until the clay season in South America.

[quote] Then got a mysterious illness in the Middle East

Sheikupassitis

Cheatypiss looking like shit, and getting blasted by Lil' Diego. Good times!

Why is Genie posing in a silver sequined two piece outfit in the kitchen? Hopefully she won’t be demonstrating her frying skills next.

Kvitova loses to world #263 Aussie WC Priscilla Hon from a set up. Sadly the end seems nigh for Petra. I really wish she had converted that AO final against Osaka. Who knew it would be probably her last chance?

Pospisil posted shirtless today. I'm still recovering.

Osaka is back!

6-4 3-6 6-3 win over Cornet

[quote] Osaka is back!

Who still cares about this corporate woketard snowflake?

Kyrgios is out of the AO, citing asthma.

Melbourne:

Bagnis def. Murray 6-3 5-7 6-3

[quote] Kyrgios is out of the AO, citing asthma.

Asthma.???????.... or Pfizer?

What was the medical exemption that allowed Novaxx to play the Oz Open?

I wonder if Mirka is on suicide watch if Rafa or Nole get #21 in Melbourne.

I can’t believe they granted him an exemption. I expect him to get roundly booed.

[quote]Pospisil posted shirtless today. I'm still recovering.

link pls

Me, on hearing the news of NoVaxxx's 'medical exemption' =

Azarenka looks sharp, avenged her Indian Wells loss and dragged Badosa 6-3 6-2.

Kanepi won over Cristian and saved match points, I wonder which seed she will eliminate from the AO this year (Emma R? Naomi?)

Svitolina lost in three sets to a Russian from outside the top 100 (Gasanova). She has new face fillers and is still pushing like her life depends on it.

Sofia Kenin is back, with a few extra pounds. She scrapes by an Italian qualifier (Bronzetti) from barely inside the top 170, score was 7-5 7-5.

Petkovic randomly peaked with 11 aces to defeat the seeded Russian Samsonova.

Cirstea delivers a double bagel to Gracheva, the first of the season.

Veteran Vera Zvonareva defeated Alison Riske in straights.

Sevastova defeated Garcia. Both trying to get back to a top 10 level.

Anisimova just edges out Alison Van Uytvanck (who has split from Greet Minnen), 7-5 in the third set. I don't really think she'll ever get it together like Nike thought she would.

Newlywed, billionaire, and top seed in Melbourne 2, Jessica Pegula loses in the first round against Irina Begu of Romania.

Ironic that outside his little fiefdom of Serbia, love-hungry Djokovic's legacy is going to be as the most hateable champion.

Novak can expect a very rough crowd. This "exemption" is going down badly in Australia.

Nice to see FAA turn it around for Canada in the ATP Cup.

so unfair, I hope the cunt loses!

Incredible. This is the most glaring example of 'one rule for the rich and famous, another for the rest of us'.

he's probably using the excuse that he had it before and has natural immunity.

Possible reasons for medical exemption:

1) I'm a cunt, and am therefore a naturally hostile host to the virus; I cannot catch it, and therefore I cannot pass it on;

2) I talk to water, so I'm safe;

3) I've completely de-acidified my body, so my base humours kill off all forms of viruses, including Covid-19;

4) I've shoved three huge crystals up my arse, and they have been scientifically proven to ward off all toxic substances, including Covid-19;

5) I'm such a nice person that any virus that comes into contact with me immediately backs off.

I'm sure the real list is longer than this, but I'm also sure it's more of the same.

The only realistic medical exemption I can think of is that he has severe allergies/adverse medical reaction to vaccinations. He is clearly normal, fit and healthy otherwise so the other exemptions shouldn't apply to him. Which really begs the question: does he have medical evidence to back up his exemption?

R121 He bought that "severe allergie" paper, i bet. We know he is over sensitive if it comes to food.such stuff. I bet he doesnt mind PET

So Aussies want to hate the tennis player for not having to endure unnecessary restrictions like they did, maybe they should be looking at the people who forced these restrictions on them in the first place. Instead of wanting more to suffer, focus on ending the tyranny we all know has no place in our lives.

Go Novak!!!! You are a true champion on and off the court.

!23 You are an idiot. 100%djokotard logic. I be you are anti vaxx too like your idol ? You should be

R123, sorry

R123 We don't have the money "for not having to endure unnecessary restrictions like he did"

r123, the restrictions were necessary, and people did the right thing and respected those restrictions, and even went out and got jabs.

Your bullshit "tyranny" boat won't float around here.

R123, do you think that the restriction outlawing driving drunk is tyranny as well? Hopefully you meet that head-on.

I've always rooted for Novak, I hate Roger with a thousand suns, but this is idiocy. If he wins 21, he'll be booed unmercifully. Bad optics. So unfair to the ones who got vaccinated and quarantined.

Gurls, GURLS! You're BOTH cunts.

Let's just hope he loses.

If there is a bad reaction to Novak, he'll default.

his wife will be there?

absolutely disgusting decision to give Djokovic a medical exemption. I'd love to know exactly which person made that call and he/she/they need to explain him/her/themselves The Aussie people are rightfully furious

Australia has done so well under covid and obviously it's not fair to allow an asshole antivaxxer to avoid the same rules as every Aussie citizen and every other player.

I hope the crowd boos the fuck out of him in every match.

I hope Djokovic is completely out of form too and gets the toughest draw possible. He does not deserve to win the title based on his entitled anti-science selfish attitude

I wonder if Gunther Parche is a Rafa fan currently residing in Melbourne...

Ben's on it haha I hope he gets to ask Djokovic a press conference question at the AO

all the asshole right wingers on twitter are celebrating saying "it's none of your business" why Djokovic got the exemption

what a nonsense statement

what "rigorous review"?

people are now wondering if he may have recently tested positive for covid which under the rules would give him to temporarily defer getting the vaccine

if that is the case it'd be his second time getting it

Rigorous review of his bank statements for available discretionary funds...

2 separate medical panels? So multiple people are corrupt

I wonder if any players will comment on this

would love Andy Murray to chime in

R141 he did already

wait, so the medical panels were appointed by Tennis Australia and are separate from the application that ordinary travellers go through? This screams inside stitch-up job so that they don't lose money from him not playing

R141 sorry , it was Jamie Murray

Djokovic's medical exemption is going to haunt him. Nobody will take him seriously again.

it should also haunt Tennis Australia and the Australian government. They deserve all the flak they're getting for giving him special treatment

I hope the top players all comment on this. We know some of them didn't want to take the vaccine but clearly agreed to to enter Australia and now Djokovic gets to bypass the same rules

I heard that in Australia the rules are very strict , so strict that most of the people are vaccinated, Yet, Djoko gets a pass.

Serbian cocksucker

I am completely shocked by the decision to allow him to play. But, as someone said above, this is a very stupid decision by Novax team. Bad optics all the way around. How can they let it happen? I don't get it. Is it #21? Because it cannot be money. He will lose a lot of sympathy and this will always be attached to his name and legacy.

It will be #21. Time is not on his side. I'll be cheering for anyone to beat him.

Hopefully he will be remorselessly booed, lose his shit like the arrogant psycho he is, and get defaulted.

follow the money trail ... integrity be damned for both parties ...

Sandgren also took a dig at Djokovic for his exemption. I won’t provide a link to the Express, for obvious reasons, but anyone with google and two typing fingers can find the sources.

I suspect Sandgren was pissed off that Djokovic didn’t pull out of the “tyrannical” AO to protest the jab mandate like any self-respecting knuckle-dragging antivaxxer would do.

I've been a fan of Novak, but I think this is shitty and stupid–shitty on him for asking for an exemption, and stupid on Tennis Australia for granting it.

R153, fwiw, Sandgren disavowed the comment attributed to him by the Express.

It's going to be a very interesting to see how the AO crowd reacts to Novak. Let's not forget last year's crowd response at the trophy ceremony.

I have also been a fan of Novak, but with this idiotic move he has thrown away every bit of good will he built up last season and more. It will, rightfully, be a booing, jeering, bloodbath every single time he plays.

Rothenberg:

"Two-time quarterfinalist Tennys Sandgren (2018, 2020) is pulling out of the #AusOpen 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."

if Djokovic wins the AO he's going to be 1 of the most tennis players in history after this stunt. Especially if he gets an easy draw.

He's just a disgusting, moronic, selfish person

in happy news, well this is why Sloane isn't in Australia

she got married

All guests had to be vaccinated and tested before the wedding

Fucking Novak. He makes it impossible to like him. Had he stuck to his guns? And not played? At the very least he'd have earned my respect that he's principled (even if I disagree with those principles).

Now? He's just comes across as pathetic.

Sloane's a dish.

A beautiful bride.

In stark contrast to an idiot like Tennys, who is willing to sacrifice both his career and his life over his allegiance to MAGA.

And unlike Novak, who is a lying disgrace. (And count me as another now former fan of his.)

Sloane is so pretty.

An alleged shot of Novak's erect anaconda to brighten everyone's day!

long, could be thicker

Handful of players received exemptions

Tennis Australia/the Aussie govt should still get flak for any of the exemptions they gave out when they've been so strict with their own citizens. I'd like to find out who all the exemptions are but it's a bad look for the sport regardless

5

Poor Ben Rothenberg probably needs a fainting couch after hearing this news.about Novak

I will be attending this year and I can't wait to boo him.

R171 wanna make a DL sign? lol

oh man i hope he gets booed RELENTLESSLY until his ego collapses and causes his game to implode. if he wins the very first match I hope they boo him while he boobs-outs

I’m another Novak fan who is counting on the fans in the stands to make him cry like a little bitch and lose.

He is loathsome. I best he fancies himself one of those "my body is my temple" athletes. Nothing with alien DNA, magical government spying metals or sinister mind programming elements is getting anywhere his sacred body.

I think his first round opponent should simply walk off just after the first point.

Whoever it is won't beat Novak anyway and it would send a clear message that Novak's AO run is a fucking joke this year.

the thing is, there is a very small group of people who are medically deemed unable to get the vaccine. That's NOT what happened with Djokovic though and there's no defense of him. Last year he clearly declared himself as an antivaxxer and started making noise when the possibility of a tennis vaccine mandate started being discussed. Then when Australia said everyone entering needed to be vaccinated that's when he suddenly sought and now received a "medical exemption". If Djokovic had announced he was going to get the vaccine but then after consulting with his doctor found out he couldn't get it, that would be different. The optics are very bad for him, Tennis Australia and the Australian government.

Adelaide upsets:

Juvan upsets #2 seed Sabalenka 7-6(6) 6-1

Rogers upsets #3 seed Sakkari 7-6(5) 2-6 6-4

in Melbourne

Keys starts the year off with a win 6-3 7-6(2) over Dart

Berankis def. DL fave Giron 7-5 6-4

Who all.

I hope Ben asks Djokovic a compelling question that will, whatever the answer, be revealing and telling about Djokovic.

I told you he can’t vax because the vaccine has a disastrous effect on his heart condition.

Interesting interview with Tiley. He twice mentions recent infection with coronavirus as a legit reason for a medical exemption, but, weirdly, there’s also some mention of the medical specialists on the exemption panel, which included a cardiologist. I wonder if we’ve got another Sharapova here, with the exemption for Covid in some way linked to an exemption for other medical issues that require PEDs. It would certainly explain why he’s so secretive and reticent about revealing the grounds for his exemption application.

This match between Barty and Gauff is a dog fight.

Benoit Paire retired down 2-5 in the third set against Laaksonen. Anyone know the story?

I hope Novak gets booed straight into hell wherever he appears. What a fucking cunt.

[quote]Benoit Paire retired down 2-5 in the third set against Laaksonen. Anyone know the story?

He had Zoom call scheduled with an alien resident of the Andromeda Galaxy about a summer vacation rental property there.

People have right to know what is wrong with him that he can enter the country with exemption. They are still sayin that two panels of experts anonymously decided abou this. Maybe he went through the country with proper medical exemption , Ok. But the problem is his heath problem- what his doctors in Serbia prepared for him on papers? That is what fake. People dont understansd that. Aussie gov let him through following the rule , but they cannot decide his health problems are true or no.They won't verify it

Barty was down a set and 2-4, 15-40 against Gauff. She cleaned up her technique and won 13 of the next 15 games. These are the performances that make her a better #1 than some of the recent ones, like Osaka, Wozniacki, Pliskova, Halep or when Kerber was losing first round everywhere while Serena was on maternity leave. She has a lot more fight and problem solving ability.

Frenchman Corentin Moutet lost the second set against Djere, said "fuck you" to the umpire on his way to the toilet, and when he came back was defaulted from the match. First default of the season I believe.

Cutie Kokkinakis backs up his win over Millman and defeats Tiafoe from a set down, had 6-1 in the third.

Under ATAGI guidelines — which both TA and the Victorian government used in their assessments — there are just a handful of reasons a person may be exempt from being vaccinated, and most exemptions are temporary.Those exemptions include 1An acute major medical condition such as undergoing a major surgery,2Any serious adverse event attributed to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine,3 Evidence of a PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection in the previous six months.4 If the person is a risk to themselves or others during the vaccination process due to a developmental or mental health disorder

Lol So I bet djoko was "sick" on covid during last six month. or he has some mental problems and he got papers on it ;)

Djokovic has not disclosed the grounds for his exemption.

He is known to have contracted COVID-19 in May 2020, but it is not known if he had a second infection in the past six months.

Dr Broderick said she was unable to disclose the reasons given for exemption applications.

"I can't comment on our group, but if you look at an Australian group of people applying for medical exemption, the vast majority are recent COVID."

Tiley said he was not aware of Djokovic having had COVID-19 recently.

"That is ultimately up to Novak Djokovic to disclose because that's his personal medical information," he said.

"We're not privy to that and neither should we be."

Tiley said he would encourage Djokovic to be open about the reasons for his exemption.

Hilarious that like Djokovic may be denied entry into Australia.

R182, I posted in jest upthread that Djovokic's application for exemption was that the vaccine contraindicates his PEDs, but he IS a big fan of Sharapova, so there might be a grain of truth in there somewhere.

Lolololol! Djokovic cannot enter Australia. I can't stop laughing and I was the BIGGEST Djoko fan ever.

I bet not even in his wildest nightmares did Djokovic dream that he'd become the laughingstock of the Australian Open.

Djokovic fakes injury and retires all the time with bird flu.- Gays and tennis parts 1-25

Djoker is so mean to make fun of Roger and Rafa- Gays and tennis parts 26-50.

He is SO desperate to be liked. I could respect him if he just spoke his mind- Gays and Tennis parts 51-75

What an asshole, he almost killed a lineswoman at the USOPEN and stopped playing in the French Open. Never forget! Gays and Tennis parts - 76-100

"Awful, Awful (really awful) need for attention" - THE MOST GLARING EXAMPLE of rich people rules!!!!!!!!!- NO FAIR!- Gays and Tennis part 104.

"He's the worst president Serbia ever had"- Gays and Tennis part 300.

R194, blind devotion isn't becoming. I have been a supporter of Novak in the past, but this episode is an embarrassing setback.

SEND HIM BACK! SEND HIM BACK!

Novaxx is the most hateable player in sport, worldwide. I can’t understand what any fan sees in this sniveling, obnoxious douche. As much as people mock Roger’s airs and graces, he’s so head and shoulders above this guy. If this fight somehow leads to Novaxx being exposed for PEDs that would incredible and very like him, to be so stupid. But I think that’s just a conspiracy theory for now.

Wow. Scenes. Good on the Aus govt for overriding something everyone can smell is bullshit.

R197, as long as Nick Kyrgios is alive, Novak isn't even in the running for most hated player, even in tennis.

R199 I always saw Nick Kyrgios as someone people were frustrated with or even entertained by..?

Nick Kyrgios is the most detestable person in the sport since Jimmy Connors.

people say on twitter he has been rejected

Kyrgios may be more hated inside the sport, but Djokovic is more hated by the general public, and the hatred is stronger because it’s awful to see someone nasty on the top of the rankings.

Goodbye Novaxx, hello Novisak!

It's a great day for tennis--Moutet defaulted! Novaxx deported!!

he is for real?

[italic]World No.1 Novak Djokovic’s entry into Australia was in limbo early Thursday morning due to concerns over evidence supporting his vaccine exemption, as well as a potentially erroneous visa application.[/italic]

Great news, r189. Barty seems to be a legitimate no. 1; and everyone loves the Kock.

I’d hate to be the person on his team who applied for the wrong type of visa. Imagine the rage directed at them right now.

This is getting better than a cliffhanger-filled soap.

Note the ominous

[quote] but Tennis Australia’s chief medical officer Dr Carolyn Broderick said on Wednesday that neither her organisation nor government expert panels had tested the veracity of documents provided in applications.

Would we put the submission of fake medical documents past this moustachio-twirling evil-doer?

Novaxx would give his baby to a dingo for #21.

NoVaxxx's baby probably is a dingo... or even more likely, a jackal.

Obviously, Novak had COVID in the last 6 months, and that is his excuse. It is an acceptable excuse for Tennis Australia, so he can use it if he wants.

Unfortunately, the Australian government has different rules, so I fault Tennis Australia from not getting their protocols straight here--they should not allow an exemption that the government does not! Jesus.

And then there is this visa issue--Novak needed a certain kind of visa with his particular situation, and someone on his team did not file it.

Tik Tok, Motherfucker!!!!

How is that obvious, R213? Sounds more like wishful thinking from Djokovic stans.

Do ordinary people get to use 'I had covid in the last 6 months' to enter Australia unvaccinated? No, so why should a tennis player? I'm not even convinced that he even has had covid in the last 6 months. Seems pretty convenient.

Tennis players travel around the world… that’s the nature of the sport. During a pandemic, the only way to continue the sport without significant risk to the local communities where they play, they must get vaccinated.

Anyone who doesn’t care about the local is scum.

lol

but is there still a way for Djokovic to fix things and resend a document if needed?

I'm not getting my hopes up that he'll be denied until it actually happens.

The Aussies know what a huge story it would be if the #1 player in the world was denied entry in their country.

Meanwhile...

It is not good if Djoko is calling for authorities.

I also find it interesting that the Australian Open said it did not examine the veracity of the exemption documents presented by players. Hmmm hmmm

This is turning into international news. He’s putting tennis on the map - for all the wrong reasons.

He couldn’t have come up with a better way to be more hated than he already is.

I wonder if this is Djokovic’s personal doctor.

The Serbian President issued a statement apparently calling Australia’s behavior harassment…

harassment ? Don't cheat.

Greg Hunt (federal politician) on TV now saying his visa has been officially cancelled.

is the Aussie media reporting on how the Aussie public feels? I'm really curious there. We know the Serbian-Australians mostly back Djokovic no matter what he says or does but I'm curious about everyone else

Djoker has been booted out of Australia!

Serbia hasn't looked this good since the Milosevic trials.

Djokovic's lawyers are appealing it...

Novax has been denied entry. He will be on the first flight out.

Beautiful, just beautiful. I needed this laugh.

Rafa: Bye, bitch!

DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD!

You know what would make their heads explode - mass retirements and a 21st for Rafa.

Adio, Novak, ti prkno!

R228 there has been major backlash here against Djokovic potentially being allowed into the country unvaxxed and not correctly documented.

Particularly in Melbourne, the site of the Australia Open, which has been locked down for most of the pandemic.

The general attitude (from what I’ve read and conversations with friends) is: “why did we suffer so much for some rich tennis player to be allowed in?”.

Border Force said the exemption which Tennis Australia granted him is actually not valid and he has to leave the country.

R238 good thanks for sharing that

can DJokovic appeal this?

is there still time for him to arrive for the AO or is this final?

please let it be final lol

He can appeal.

The visa problem is a cover-up just to keep his vaccine status private like he probably wants. For sure the real reason he was denied is because the medical exemption wasn’t good enough

lol

Anyone knows if in this situation the deported passengers are supposed to pay themselves for the flight back or will Ozzie people have to fork out the money through the government?

Somebody is about to be fired....

The airline is responsible for transporting the deported passenger, at least in Australia, probably elsewhere.

Which is why at checkin the airline ensures that the passenger’s documentation is correct.

Looks like that didn’t happen this time. But I’m sure Novak can spring for a first class fare home!

According to the BBC, he was denied entry due to the visa screw-up, which is different than the exemption issue. I don’t know how that will legally play out.

Well they’re linked - medical exemptions are not applicable for the visa that he was using.

I don't buy that visa bullshit

As the Guardian journo who reposted this tweet said, Rather droll.

so if it's just the type of visa, surely that'd mean he can fly back, then fly over again with the correct visa in time for the Open?

OK so someone filed the wrong paperwork. Can't he just resend it correctly and be admitted in a few days? Or is it the authorities think he intentionally lied and therefore he's screwed?

I hope he doesn't get to play

They don't want his ass in their country! Rules are rules!!!

so it has something to do with not being jabbed and medical exemption too

[...]

On the Australian Gov website it says you can apply to have the decision reviewed within 21 days of the initial refusal - I don't think it's as simple as just resubmitting the documentation. The tournament starts in less than 2 weeks so he'd realistically need to get it sorted within the next week.

Mirka is eating again!

The Novaxx denial also involves Federal and State politics. I believe Federal jumped the gun and granted him an OK, but then State didn't support it. Somehow the arsehole wormed his way into the tournament -- due to the revenue draw most likely - and then it turned into a shitshow. He shouldn't be there if he's unvaccinated, and I completely support Australians who are pissed that he was allowed to arrive unvaccinated when they've put up with quarantines, etc. IF he plays, I hope they boo his virus-laden ass back into the locker room.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

R254, Morrison is up for re-election and behind in the polls, so of course he is all over this.

Just like anyone, Djokovic had a right to ask for an exemption and they must have indicated he would be given one and could play or he would not have travelled.

I hope he doesn't get a last minute fix and then comes back by Saturday/Sunday. That would just give him enough time to quarantine

The tennis association gave him the medical exemption, right? Despite the legal requirements for entering the country, I believe.

reports are right now he's currently in a quarantine hotel

so there's still hope for him sadly

Per the New York Times:

The world No. 1 received an exemption to a rule that players be vaccinated to play in the Australian Open. Government officials said they had the power to overturn it.

The country’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, said health officials expected to see evidence that Djokovic merited his exemption, and threatened to put the tennis star “on the next plane home” if he did not meet the strict requirements for one.

“We await his presentation and what evidence he provides us to support that,” Morrison said. “If that evidence is insufficient, then he won’t be treated any different to anyone else and he’ll be on the next plane home. There should be no special rules for Novak Djokovic at all.”

I like that statement by Morrison but we'll see. I won't be surprised if Djokovic somehow finds a way

I'm sure he tried saying that he has antibodies from having had COVID already, yada yada, yada.... That's not going to fly, Novaxx.

If somehow he's allowed to play, there will be an even bigger PR problem for the Open.

Why should his competitors, the lines people, the ball kids, etc., trust that he's safe to walk within feet of them, breathing heavily, etc.?

omg his father is like Trump!

"take to the streets"? wtf

The whole Djokovic family need to be put on a Psych Hold. Permanently.

if Djokovic fans do take to the streets and cause mayhem, can DJokovic's father be charged with inciting a riot under Australian law?

The hundreds of athletes who have died from heart problems due to the Covid vaxx were asked to comment on Novak, but they were strangely silent.

Djoker needs to show peen STAT if Datalounge is to forgive him and grant him permission to play.

Margaret Court relieved she won’t be the most unpopular person at Rod Laver Arena this year. 🎾

R264, it would be a bit surprising if the tennis association did not consult with the federal government about the rules.

so it seems the real problem is not only Djokovic being an antivaxx nutter but also Tennis Australia. How is it that 2 of their medical panels deemed Djokovic's' application for a medical exemption acceptable but then government officials say he hasn't shown sufficient evidence? Why is the Tennis Australia standard lower?

R277, we don’t know that. It’s possible that the standard was lower; it’s also possible that the government’s decision was driven by public outrage.

Tennis Australia also has a vested interest in maximizing profits, ratings, etc., so not many people were surprised that he was given an exemption.

His father does sound like a right-wing nutcase.

R273 receipts or stfu and die, anti vaxx moron.

speaking of right wing assholes

Anti-vaxx = Racist? - Selfish - Shortsighted - Uneducated

TRUE

Sandgren is implying that people overuse racist and now they're overusing antivaxx. Of course he's a moron who is both racist and antivaxx. Glad he wont' be in Australia

I hope all the slams require vaccination.

France and UK seem like they might go there

sadly I doubt the US will

HAhahahahaha! Novaxx DEPORTED from Australia at Brisbane airport for not satisfying entry requirements!

Delicious right? Get this, he won't reveal how he received the special exemption in the first place, AND he is expected to have his lawyers appeal!

What an entitled cunt that man is!

I love that he was in a room by himself for 8 hours. I hope the guards treated him as if he were infected, made him wear a mask, etc.

well again let's just hope this doesn't magically get sorted out by Sunday, which would just give him 7 days of quarantine time

For those who are confused - It seems clear from this that Novaxx’s exemption qualification was claiming to have had Covid in this last six months.

This was listed as a permissible exemption reason by the tennis association in its panel examination. But they also stated they would not be investigating the accuracy of documentation provided by the players, in other words, if they received a doctor’s letter stating the player had had Covid six months before, they would accept that as true.

Having had the virus within six months is not a valid exemption to the country’s vaccination requirements, though. This is the discrepancy between the tennis association’s requirements and Australian’s requirements for entry. However, Australia’s federal or state governments can overcome this and agree to permit someone to enter the country despite this. That’s what the statement was that came out this morning: the regional government official said she would grant Novaxx entry using that power. My guess is the tennis association relied upon the opposite happening, because one of the reasons the requirement can be overcome in special cases is if the entrant is going to benefit Australia or the region in some way.

* would NOT grant Novaxx entry using that power, sorry

^^ whoops, forgot to update the thread before posting ....

Tennis Australia shouldn't have lower standards than the Australian federal or regional governments

I wouldn’t be surprised if it came out that someone in government told Tennis Australia they’d make the exception, but then Novaxx blew up Australia’s spot by gleefully posting that he was allowed in unvaxxed.

I won't be surprised if someone at Tennis Australia gets fired

lmfao menstennisforums is in full meltdown mode. The Djokovic stans and antivaxxers are battling everyone else. Multiple threads on the topic

someone posted this "is worse than the Seles stabbing" while another posted "Australia is unfit to host a slam"

I'm also thinking about the 12 (out of 26 or 27) other players/coaches/officials who got exemptions. Will they get a second look if they used the same excuse as Novak? (Having had COVID in the past 6 months?)

I imagine journalists are going to be looking hard at those 12 people and trying to get them on the record, or at least background info on them.

I do want to know who those other players are too and if they made any antivaxx statements in the last year like Djokovic

Team Novaxx got a quack Serbian doctor to write a phony 6 mo COVID cert. which worked for Tennis Australia. (He was really infected June 2020). They likely showed up at the border with no PCR documentation, nothing in a national health database, waving their TA exemption and a holiday visa app, and were Pikachu-face shocked when they realized the whole country/world turned on them while in-air and they weren’t getting so much as a Tim-Tam, much less an unvaxxed waiver into the country. It really is a beautiful exhibit of the legendary Aussie “megacunty when crossed” attitude. Plus Scotty from Marketing has an election to win.

This whole 'having covid in the last six months' schtick is stupid since there's been at least 2 variants in the last 6 months.

Hah. Novak's way more hated than Kyrgios. K's behaviour is worse, but he doesn't pair it with 'please love me'!! (Also, just by being number one, Novak is in for more hate... and more blind adulation, sort of comes with the territory)

According to Reuters, the visa and paperwork Djokovic presented had been used by three other players who are now in the country and preparing to play. Morrison, the prime minister, had promised yesterday to honor the exemptions issued by the Tennis Association.

R296 I heart your post. The way you wrote made me chuckle and smile

[quote] How is it that 2 of their medical panels deemed Djokovic's' application for a medical exemption acceptable but then government officials say he hasn't shown sufficient evidence?

Maybe because the panels were expected to rubber stamp any medical documents from Serbia and not look into their authenticity? That all changed for Scotty when he saw the political points to be scored by turfing him out, and the Victorian govt didn’t have the stomach for the bloodbath they’d be subjected to if they turned around and endorsed him.

I hope Morrison doesn't back down on Djokovic

all I can say though is no Aussie player should try playing in Belgrade this year. It wouldn't surprise me if the Serbian government tried some retaliatory tactics even if there was no justification for it

Djokovic has done himself in. This is the final coffin nail after failing last year to get the Grand Slam, the Golden Slam or the YEC. By RG he'll be closer to 40 than 30. So long, 21.

hubris as the ancient Greeks used to say...

He's still in Australia appealing, god, have some dignity and just go come

He must be utterly reviled in the players lounge.

The fact that he hosted an expo (and dance party!) against medical advice and then many people involved got COVID -- before vaccines -- should have had greater repercussions for him. I wouldn't be surprised if his crazy trumpian father has been paying people off.

How soon before the other 3 who got similar exemptions get their names leaked?

By Friday we'll know

I wish there was a camera on Djokovic for the last 24 hours. It would be hilarious to see him screaming and freaking out. You know he's the type who starts out calm, tries to sweet talk you into going his way then when he sees nothing is working, he gets very aggressive and psychotic.

I'm sure he's had several meltdowns already

Maybe there will be footage of him at the airport if he finally does fucking leave

R311, too bad there weren't lineswomen nearby he could take his anger out on.....

also the image of there being armed guards outside the interrogation room would be hilarious visual too

treating Djokovic like a possible threat haha

Korda tested positive after landing in Australia, but has some had two negative tests.

^ some = since. Damn autocorrect.

We need the name of the other players who got similar visa so we can lynch them. I bet Zverev is one of them.

lmfao this is INSANE

Herbert is also an antivaxxer and like Sandgren, opted out of playing in Australia this year

Tennis Australia could be in trouble for the chaos they caused. They knew in November from the federal government that a case like Djokovic's wouldn't be approved!

His appeal is just starting here now. Four pm local time.

Zverev is vaccinated

Francis Tiafoe continues finding ways to lose from winning positions. That said, his high, tight ass is looking great.

update

According to what's written here I don't see how he'll win the appeal unless the judges are antivaxxers or heavily biased Djokovic stans

Apparently the appeal is being argued now.

lol it's kinda fun seeing Berrettini bossing Sinner around in doubles

I'm assuming the highlights here don't show the full display of Moutet's behavior before the default?

I think it was the "Fuck you! Fuck you!" that Moutet bellowed at 6:48 in your link, R327, that caused in his default. I watched the match and that was the gist of it.

Technical question: can someone explain the chair ump’s “touch” call at 8:24 @r327?

Rafa won in straight sets in his first match since August.

It will be funny if Grampy Fed started to celebrate Novaxx being deported from Australia only to then see Rafa winning #21 in Melbourne and joining Novaxx and Laver in the "each Slam at least twice" club which Gramps knows he'll never be able to do.

I can’t wait for the episode of Border Force: Australia featuring Djokovic. “Coming up next - a Vietnamese grandmother is caught with six live turtles in her suitcase, and will the world number 1 tennis player be allowed into the country?”

The obnoxious forehead from Canada got crushed 6/1 6/2 by Iga. Nice going, Iga. Kick the windmilling bitch's ass back to her trailer in Saskatchewan.

In regards to Novak;

Yes, it pissed off a lot of people here in Australia when it was revealed he received an exemption. In fact, people were furious. Victoria has had the longest and hardest lockdowns of any city world wide. In fact Victoria and NSW are going through surges of 35000 cases a day in NSW and 10000 a day in victoria. He was stopped at Melbourne airport trying to enter. Someone took video. Apparently all his papers have Tennis Australia logos on it so there is a chance he thought he legitimately had an exemption as Tennis Australia look after visa's etc for all players and officials. He apparently was allowed by Tennis Australia to play and it seems the Victorian gov. However, the Victorian gov has no standing on border control from international arrivals, thats Border Force and the feds. The exemptions Tennis Australia Bullshitted about, turns out the two independent panel was not from the feds or Vic gov, but two panels set up by Tennis Australia itself, so independent my ass. He Apparently has paper work from only 1 doctor and that is being questioned. The belief is he is under the had covid the last 6 months exemption which isnt working down here. It also means he had covid twice last year if he is using that exemption. Tennis Australia are fuming and reckon its a political stunt. Id say partly is but also partly we have strict rules on entry. He didnt meet the entry requirements and has the wrong visa for the exemption he went for. The head of Tennis Australia and the Open, Craig Tilley is a fucking drama queen and always doing this every year. It needs a new director. The lawyers are in court and the judge is letting the case run into the night, however its almost 7 pm here so he wont be on a plane tonight. He is at a hotel not the detention centre, so fucker should really shut up because my nation sends fucks to detention centres not hotels when deporting them. He can also be banned for up to 3 years from re entering the country. He will be deemed a risk to health. Which as an anti vaxxer he is. He also wasnt treated harshly, in fact better than most held at the airport. He was fed, had his phone, but yes security at the door which is normal.

Also Border Force are now investigating the other players and officials who were given the same exemptions that are already in the country and out in the community and their visa's are being reviewed. For Tennis Australia is all about money and what he generates. After last year when most players were in a hotel room for quarantine for 1 days and some had shitty hotel rooms with no windows and he got a luxury penthouse with balcony, apparently a lot of players are not sad about whats happening to him. Its a screw up by Tennis Australia and Craig Tilley.

Sorry for the triple post. The court has ruled he must give evidence by Sat Arvo and gov by Sunday night and will decide Monday. The gov also said the injunction to deport wont be messed with till everything sorted on Monday in court.

[quote] The gov also said the injunction to deport wont be messed with till everything sorted on Monday in court.

Which court? Margaret?

At least per Twitter: It’s possible that what’s at issue is not the underlying medical claim but whether Djokovic appeared with an “internationally-recognized” form of certificate documenting it.

if they let him back in to play the outrage will be even bigger than on Tuesday when Tennis Australia initially cleared him

R339, but it won’t be Morrison’s fault, which seems to be the goal here. He’s off-loading blame.

people don't respond well to whiplash. The idea of "he can play and bend the rules" then "nope he's not allowed in the country" to possibly "OK he's back in again" would likely lead to rioting in the streets at this point

it's even starting to get coverage in the US news now

R341, If there is “rioting in the streets” something was really wrong in Australia before this ever happened.

Some light relief: Misery goes gay for Liam Broady's thunderquads...

If there is rioting in the streets, it will probably be Serbians in Melbourne being egged on by their President and his thuggish nationalist rhetoric in support of their country's golden boy.

[quote] if Djokovic fans do take to the streets and cause mayhem

All five of them?

And Felix defeated Zverev at the atp cup 64 46 63

Osaka def. Zanveska in Melbourne 1 6-1, 6-1. Looking sharp. Petkovic next for a spot in the semis.

Send him back to Serbia (or wherever he lives these days). There he can continue to worship his bodily temple and turn water into wine - or whatever that fuckwit thinks he's able to do.

Bet he can't walk on water like I do!

his fate won't be decided until Monday. Plenty of time to make deposits in officials' off shore accounts.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

Apparently Tennis Australia tried to pull a fast one by offering an exemption for a recent (last 6 months), recovered, COVID infection even though they were 2x told in writing by the federal government that would not be considered sufficient grounds for an exemption from the vaccination entry requirement and that border agents would not grant entry. Seems like they gambled that the gov wouldn’t want the spectacle and lost.

If Novaxxer loses the appeal, is there still a way he could enter the tournament?

I don't think so, R353. Unless they hold it on Zoom.

Felix is looking good!

[...]

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

Has the lunatic anti vax moron from Croatia also been posting in here or is he just posting in the thread specifially dedicated to Novaxx Idiotkovic?

So is Novak the Aaron Rodgers of tennis or is Aaron Rodgers the Novak of American football?

Djokovic's family speaks out after Australia refuses tennis champ entry over Covid-19 rules

From CNN's Niamh Kennedy

The family of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic claim the Australian authorities took away all his belongings after revoking his visa to enter the country on Wednesday.

The tennis player's brother Drodje Djokovic told journalists during a news conference in Belgrade Thursday that the athlete "hasn't broken a single rule or law of the federal government of Australia."

Djokovic's brother claimed that other tennis players had the "same document" as him, yet "he's the only one detained at the border and denied entry."

He went on to describe the Australian authority's treatment of his brother as a "serious diplomatic breach," recounting how communication was abruptly severed between the player and his family.

"In the first 45 minutes I think, he was communicating to the family and team, and that abruptly stopped. He had no contact whatsoever as his phone had been taken away from him for three and a half hours," according to Drodje Djokovic.

Djokovic's phone was eventually returned and he was taken into another isolation room, he added.

After his visa was revoked, the tennis player was taken through Melbourne Airport's metal detectors and all his belongings and suitcases were taken away from, according to his brother.

"His wallet and change of clothes were taken away from him. He was taken to the migrant hotel, to a dirty room and was told that all his belongings will be given back to him on his departure to Europe," he said.

The latest update Djokovic's family received stated that if Djokovic returns to Europe immediately, he will be banned from entering Australia for three years. "The court's response to Novak's complaint was that the Australian authorities mustn't deport Novak before Monday," his brother added.

The family believe the tennis player wishes to stay in Australia and "seek justice" after "being treated like a criminal," his brother continued.

His lawyers continue to work on the case to "set him free as he deserves to be," his brother underlined.

Some background: Djokovic's visa to enter Australia was canceled following an outcry over his controversial "medical exemption" from the country's coronavirus vaccination rules.

Djokovic, the men's tennis world no.1, hasn't publicly revealed his vaccination status — but in a news conference on Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he "didn't have a valid medical exemption" to the vaccination requirement for all arrivals.

"Entry with a visa requires double vaccination or a medical exemption," Morrison said. "I am advised that such an exemption was not in place, and as a result, he is subject to the same rules as everyone else."

"There are many visas granted, if you have a visa and you're double vaccinated, you're very welcome to come here," he added. "But if you're not double vaccinated and you're not an Australian resident or citizen, well, you can't come."

can our Aussie poster(s) here tell us about the courts in Australia? Have there been any recent covid-related cases they've ruled on?

please don't tell us Djokovic is somehow going to get his way

so if they wait with releasing him he wont be banned????

[...]

According to the ABC, the alleged medical exemption documents were provided to AusOpen by Djokovic's very OWN medical team.Is this a fucking joke? He really thought they will buy it?

R364, any doctor providing medical documentation would be paid by the athlete to do so. I would think that if the government is arguing that the documents are false or misleading it has the burden of proving that.

Wow, just saw his parents interview on TV; they're a real pair of tire-biters!

It is just small immigration hotel, if it hotel at all.

R366 now you know why Federer told them to shut up years ago during a match

Nadal with the logical answer

good to know he's pro-vaccine

Princess Novak must be in shock about being treating without bloated reverence.

Recent COVID outbreak at the detention center where Djokovic is currently playing Spartacus...

Opelka’s hat was shat on by a bird and the umpire wanted him to wear one someone else’s or wipe the shit off with a towel and put his back on. WTF?

The logo was too big on his alternate.

I wonder what Princess Novak is being served to eat while he's in the brig? I'm sure he's in high-hissy about his nutritional needs.

R373 just like the QAnon shaman

No problem, his magical powers of transformation can change gruel to ambrosia.

I hope he catches Covid in the detention center and it ruins his ability to play, and he never wins another grand slam.

R296 thank you for “megacunty when crossed”! Cracked me up!

Fun’s fun, R376, but for serious sports fans wishing physical harm on an athlete you don’t like is a bit much.

R378 No. And I hope his dad gets covid and die.

I’m not R376, R378, but while I wish no physical harm on athletes who I don’t like, I don’t lose any sleep when high profile antivaxxers die of Covid.

Lol the gnashing of teeth over at MensTennisForum is a sight to behold.

What the bloody hell is Novak afraid of? I'm not getting it.

^ anti-vaxx lunatic

In regards to the hotel he is in, it is an immigration hotel. My nation doesnt do well with people seeking asylum, or refugees. In fact he should be happy he wasnt shipped to an off shore processing centre. The hotel itself is a shit hole. It has security because its dangerous for the staff, allegedly. He will be fed basic food and it wont be room service. It is delivered to the room and what you get is what you get. Good chance they took all his stuff away and he will get it back when departing. The one interesting issue is the prescribing judge might be a fan as he asked the Border Force lawyers in court if he had access to a tennis court. Legally I think he will be sent home. Allegedly his docs are not substantial. Most are from Tennis Australia saying he has an exemption but not actually from the gov. It seems the fed gov health told Tennis Australia at least twice that anyone who has had covid but not double jabbed isnt getting in. It is looking like Tennis Australia might have told him he is exempt because their panels gave him one to play, but borders are federal domain not state. I think it was a turn up and it will be fine as no one will say no. Well they feds called their Tennis Australia bluff. I think Tilley has a lot to do with all this. I think this should have been sorted today to be honest not wait till Monday. Tennis Australia is going to have to fire some people for this, Tilley included but they wont because they are gutless. My opinion. Legally, any nation can refuse you entry for what ever reason they like.

Surprise, surprise another dumb deplorable chimes in defending NoVaxxx. Hilarious that they're choosing the enforcement of border controls as the hill to die on.

it's the eve of Orthodox Xmas! Here's your gift, Novaxx!

A new news piece regarding Tennis Australia involvement.

Australian Border Force cancels tennis player Renata Voracova's visa ahead of Australian Open.

Fantastic match between RBA and Hubie in the ATP Cup Semis. RBA pulls through in the last set tie-break - quality tennis all the way through. Great tennis from decent guys: fuck NoVaxxx!

Kokkinakis with the dangly earring and butterfly tattoos on his thigh....Is he in the family?

Qualifications for a medical exemption from the COVID vaccine in Australia are clear and they are set up to permit very few exemptions,. meaning people should get the vaccine. Novaxx tried to game the system and got caught.

If Australia is canceling other visas than there’s no way Novaxx is going to squeak through. Tennis Australia made a bad bet.

Who is lucky losers?

Did Kyrgios get steroid treatment for his asthma? Is he going to rehab at the Tomic Tennis Academy and Charm school?

Novak Djokovic thanks fans for "continuous support" amid Covid-19 visa row

From CNN’s Aleks Klosok

Novak Djokovic thanked people around the world Friday for their “continuous support” in the midst of the furor over the cancellation of the tennis star’s visa.

Djokovic posted a message in both Serbian and English on his Instagram story.

Writing in English, Djokovic said: "Thank you to people around the world for your continuous support. I can feel it and it is greatly appreciated."

It is the first public comments from Djokovic since he landed in Melbourne.

Australian Border Force: One visa canceled, another individual departs in connection with Australian Open

From CNN’s Aleks Klosok

The Australian Border Force (ABF) told CNN Friday that its investigation into the visa status of two individuals connected to the Australian Open has concluded, amid the furor over the cancelation of tennis superstar Novak Djokovic’s visa.

Separate to the ongoing saga of Djokovic's revoked visa, the ABF said one individual has voluntarily departed Australia following inquiries. The ABF confirmed that the visa of another unnamed individual has been canceled. "This person has been taken into immigration detention pending their removal from Australia,” the ABF said in a statement."

“All travelers who enter Australia must do so in accordance with our strict laws and entry requirements, regardless of their status or their reasons for entering the country,” the ABF added.

Australian media outlets reported on Friday that the second canceled visa is that of Czech women's tennis player Renata Voráčová.

Australian national broadcaster ABC reports that Voráčová was told by ABF officials that she must soon leave the country, although it’s unclear at this stage whether or not she intends to appeal the decision.

According to The Age newspaper, the former Wimbledon doubles semi-finalist entered Australia with a medical exemption on the basis she had been infected with Covid-19 in the last six months.

CNN has not been able to independently verify those reports.

The 38-year-old has already played in a warm-up tournament in Melbourne, having lost in the first round of the women’s doubles competition at the Melbourne Summer Set tournament.

Neither Tennis Australia nor Voráčová’s representatives were immediately available for comment when contacted by CNN.

Novaxx DjoKovid knows he doesn't have a leg to stand on.

Someone finally called him on his BS and stood up to him.

R390

No, European.

Players association says Djokovic has "verified his well-being to us"

From CNN's Jill Martin

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) says Novak Djokovic wants to reveal "the facts of his detainment" in Australia "in his own time."

The men's tennis world no.1 co-founded the organization with fellow Canadian star Vasek Pospisil as a new way to advocate for players.

"The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has been diligently monitoring the detainment of professional tennis player Novak Djokovic by the Australian Government," the group said in a statement.

"The PTPA has been in close contact with Mr. Djokovic, his family and legal counsel, government officials, and Australian Open leadership. Mr. Djokovic has verified his well-being to us. He has also requested that we allow him to personally share the facts of his detainment in his own words, and in his own time," it continued.

The organization said it had "the utmost respect for all personal views on vaccinations" and that "vaccinated athletes and unvaccinated athletes (with an approved medical exemption) should both be afforded the freedom to compete."

The PTPA ended the statement saying it will "continue to support and advocate for our members."

How we got here: The Serb arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday in preparation to defend his Australian Open title but was held at the border, and his visa was canceled a day later for not meeting the country’s required entry rules.

Players had been told that they needed to be inoculated against Covid-19 to participate in the tournament or have a medical exemption granted by an independent panel of experts.

There had been uncertainty over the 34-year-old player’s participation as Djokovic has not publicly revealed his vaccination status but voiced opposition to vaccines and vaccine mandates previously. Ultimately he was granted an exemption, which ignited a backlash among Australians, particularly as Melbourne residents spent more than 260 days confined to their homes, forbidden to leave except to buy groceries or other essential items, largely in two long stretches from July to October, 2020 and August to October, 2021.

However, there was a twist in the tale as Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told a press conference Thursday that the Serb "didn't have a valid medical exemption" to the vaccination requirement for arrival into the country.

He is currently staying at the Park Hotel, where he was allegedly transferred after being detained at the airport, according to CNN affiliates Seven Network and Nine News. The hotel was formerly used as a Covid-19 quarantine hotel for returning travelers but is now operating as a detention facility housing asylum seekers and refugees.

Novak Djokovic is "not being held captive," says Australia home affairs minister

From CNN’s Sophie Jeong

Nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic is "not being held captive" in Australia and can leave when he chooses, the nation's home affairs minister said Friday, after the Serb's visa to enter the country was canceled for not meeting the required entry rules.

"He is free to leave at anytime that he chooses to do so and Border Force will actually facilitate that,” Karen Andrews told public broadcaster ABC. “It is the individual traveler’s responsibility to make sure that they have in place all the necessary documentation that is needed to enter Australia."

Djokovic arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday after tournament organizers, in conjunction with the Victoria Department of Health, said he had been granted a medical exemption — a decision that sparked backlash among many Australians.

The men's tennis world no.1 hasn't publicly revealed his Covid-19 vaccination status — but Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Djokovic "didn't have a valid medical exemption" to the vaccination requirement for all arrivals.

Djokovic's visa was canceled on Thursday, and he is currently staying at the Park Hotel, where he was allegedly transferred after being detained at the airport, according to CNN affiliates Seven Network and Nine News. The hotel was formerly used as a Covid-19 quarantine hotel for returned travelers, but is now operating as a detention facility housing asylum seekers and refugees.

On Friday, his wife, Jelena Djokovic, spoke out for the first time on social media since the saga began.

"Thank you dear people, all around the world for using your voice to send love to my husband," she said in posts on Instagram and Twitter. "I am taking a deep breath to calm down and find gratitude (and understanding) in this moment for all that is happening. The only law that we should all respect across every single border is Love and respect for another human being."

[quote] On Friday, his wife, Jelena Djokovic, spoke out for the first time on social media since the saga began. "Thank you dear people, all around the world for using your voice to send love to my husband," she said in posts on Instagram and Twitter. "I am taking a deep breath to calm down and find gratitude (and understanding) in this moment for all that is happening. The only law that we should all respect across every single border is Love and respect for another human being."

STFU. Your husband doesn't give a fuck about respect for other human beings, so why are we supposed to respect him.

Please shove your ramblings up your snatch.

[quote]"Thank you dear people, all around the world for using your voice to send love to my husband," she said in posts on Instagram and Twitter.

Perfect example of how celebrities live in their own naive bubble enabled by those around them. Not a clue about the majority of 'people around the world' that see the situation with clarity, i.e. we don't give a fuck who you are, rules are rules, and we see clearly that you are trying to game the system. Anything to the contrary of their little bubble existence is just rationalized and packaged up as 'haters', without a second thought as to the legitimacy of any opposing claims.

That dumb Slovak whore sounds as vacuous and unconvincing as Melania Trump plagiarising a Michele Obama speech.

*apologies: SERBIAN whore

[quote] The only law that we should all respect across every single border is Love and respect for another human being.

Bullshit. Novaxx and his wife expect respect and exceptions for themselves. They're not concerned at all about "respect" for other people. Where was the love and respect for all when he winged a ball at a lineswoman or held his COVID spreader tournament?

"Two years ago, the athlete expounded on his theories of positive energy as a way to purify food and water. “I’ve seen people and I know some people that, through that energetical transformation, through the power of prayer, through the power of gratitude, they manage to turn the most toxic food or most polluted water, into the most healing water,” he said.

Djokovic has also said he discovered that he was sensitive to gluten after a Belgrade physician told him to hold a slice of bread against his stomach, and his arm became weak. "

Gee, I wonder if one of those doctors wrote a letter for his exemption!

wow! hold a slice of bread against your stomach!!! his arm became weak! LOL...he's got shit for brains.

[quote] Djokovic has also said he discovered that he was sensitive to gluten after a Belgrade physician told him to hold a slice of bread against his stomach, and his arm became weak.

Hahahahahahahaha omfg what a wacko

Is she doubles specialist?

412 Athlete Cardiac Arrests, Serious Issues, 242 Dead, After COVID Shot

It is definitely not normal for young athletes to suffer from cardiac arrests or to die while playing their sport, but this year it is happening. All of these heart issues and deaths come shortly after they got a COVID shot. While it is possible this can happen to people who did not get a COVID shot, the sheer numbers clearly point to the only obvious cause.

Regardless of your view on vaccines you cannot ignore this any longer as it is all over the place now. They are dropping dead like flies, it is a daily event. As much as I feel sorry for the guy and wish him a speedy recovery he should have read between the lines and stood his ground which is what Djokovic is doing.

So in response to their pronouncement, here is a non-exhaustive and continuously growing list of young athletes who had major medical issues in 2021 after receiving one or more COVID shots:

goodsciencing [dot] com/covid/71-athletes-suffer-cardiac-arrest-26-die-after-covid-shot/

Nothing in that linked article refers to a COVID vaccine, nimrod.

Your writing shows that English isn't your native language, by the way. Is it cold in Russia today?

Osaka withdraws from Melbourne due to injury. This is the warm up tourney, not the open.

that's too bad as she was in good form. I was looking forward to a Halep-Osaka final

Shapovalov just won. Hairy arms and legs looking good.

career week for Cressy in Melbourne. He defeated Opelka, Munar and just finished off Dimitrov in 2 tough sets to reach his first final.

The first ladies' Melbourne final will be Halep vs. Kudermetova

Cressy needs to take his clothes off.

It'll be Halep then, such a boring final. Osaka comes off as pathetic, pulling out because of stomach issues. Sure.

in a disappointing update, apparently as of today, it's been announced that the French will let Djokovic play Roland Garros even if he's unvaccinated.

This of course comes at a time when Macron is rightfully pushing for vaccination of the French

cutie Big Dich Joe Furrow dancing

hes so cute

BREAKING Djokovic's story is looking like shit lol

the court docs are out. He's claiming he tested positive for coronavirus in December but the Aussie govt says that is not a loophole for a medical exemption. Additionally at the time Djokovic claims to have tested positive, Ben Rothenberg found and posted pics of him attending an event for KIDS at his tennis foundation as well as other public appearances. So if he was truly positive he was maskless and exposing others to covid!

Lastly if the date he tested positive was Dec 16, it fell 6 days short of the Australian cutoff for exemption processing which was Dec 10!!!! sounds like he's FUCKED lol

can't wait for the Djokotards on social media to swallow all of this. Either he lied about the test or he tested poz and exposed numerous people.

check this out

the rest of the thread

Compelling!

Ben hates NoVaxxx was the heat of a thousand suns!

Did Bender Ben make a pass at Novaxx and get turned down?

I see DL's resident anti vax lunatic from Croatia has arrived in this thread @ R409 trying to spread his bullshit stories here.

Thanks R410 for calling him out straight away.

Nole could end this story with something way worse that not playing the Australian Open. This looks very bad, his image is already damaged (apart of all the antivaxxers support), if he lie about getting covid, or didn't lie but acted irresponsible it'll look very bad on him

Big bulging hunk, Maxime Cressy, hands Young Grigor his ass in Melbourne, and is through to the final.

That Ben Rothenberg thread is why Novaxx didn’t want to make his exemption reason public. Why would he present this new date now instead of giving the date of infection he must have sent to Tennis Australia before December 10? He is such an idiot.

I don't think he has so many gay followers right now

What are his lawyers' tactics here? I can't see the appeal winning, so possibly it was intended to shift the blame from him and his team to Tennis Australia (legitimately significantly at fault, of course), but opening up on the 16 Dec date hits it straight back into Djokovic's court as it's after the formal deadline for medical exemption requests, which his team should have noticed (although this is the same team that ballsed up which visa to get)..

R430 It isn't a visa issue. There is no visa that he could have got to gain entry. Like another poster wrote in the other thread: "The exemption rules, ie contracting it in the last 6 months etc are for returning residents or permanent visa holders only. They do not apply to non residents."

As for what his lawyers' tactics are: they sound shit but I think it's: drag it out and get a sympathetic judge who will rule that Djokovic can play the Australian Open while awaiting a final ruling.

R432 No matter how sympathetic the judge, he doesn't meet the criteria for entry or for the medical exemption so how could the judge do that?

R433 Because the argument would be that he has a 'chance' of winning his case and that not playing the AO would be a significant missed opportunity that cannot be recreated due to his age. Like I say, you'd have to get lucky and get a sympathetic judge (perhaps an anti-vaxxer himself!) for that to work though.

It’s a similar calculus to what’s used in US court as a factor in granting or denying a preliminary injunction. The problem for Novaxx is that the judge will have to weigh the potential harm to Novaxx of not getting to play the AO against the potential harm of allowing an unvaccinated person who doesn’t meet the medical exemption criteria into the country. So Novaxx will be arguing that if he was let in, there is a fairly good chance he could win a Grand Slam title, or at least win some money. The harm is a fairly serious harm to him specifically, of losing the chance (not certainty) to gain more money, status, or points. The state will be relying on whatever scientific evidence led them to create their visa policy for unvaccinated people in the first place: that if you allow unvaccinated people to enter the country, they risk spreading a highly communicable illness throughout the population. The harm is a minute amount of harm risked, but to everyone in Australia, not just one guy.

Based on that I can’t see Novaxx winning.

I know that it isn't a visa issue, R431, but it was having the wrong visa (one that didn't cover medical exemptions) that ignited the whole business and caught the Border Force's attention. . The two others (the Czech woman and the official) who got through initially presumably had the right sort of visa and by some oversight their precise details weren't flagged up.

R436 The other people didn't have the right visa either and neither are appealing their recall - the official has already left the country while the doubles tennis player is going to leave as soon as possible.

Ah, really, R437? That's interesting, and more confusing.

R438 I am assuming that they must have slipped through by accident. Djokovic imo made a mistake by smugly announcing to the world that he had an exemption. I believe that it was his and Tennis Australia's intent to bamboozle the border officials and have him slip in similarly because going from the official letters sent to Tennis Australia, they definitely knew that the exemption they created was not valid for the national border.

I can't see any way he could win the appeal, unless it's suddenly revealed he is in fact double vacc'd, and we all know that ain't happening.

Surely there's not one soul on the planet who believes he actually tested COVID-positive on 16 December? Even his insane fans surely believe he was trying to game the system, even if they support him in this.

Especially if he attended an event with kids the next day. Blatantly fake or if true, he deliberately went to spread covid to kids.

IMO Craig Tiley/Tennis Australia should be charged with immigration fraud if they created a fake exemption and had people use it to illegally enter Australia.

For me it’s even chances that he’s lying about having had Covid in December or that he’s telling the truth that he had Covid and didn’t mind infecting a bunch of maskless children.

He’s always been a deluded, self-centered liar, so both scenarios fit.

I doubt very much he had COVID. I think they faked the test in a timeframe purely to minimise his inconvenience - over the international Christmas period, when he was in Serbia anyway, and in good time for the AO. The timing is too convenient, allowing for them overlooking/ignoring the 10 December deadline, while assuming they wouldn't have to make the date of the test public once Tennis Australia nodded the medical exemption through.

He started to show up in public, (matches, events) and then Oh, I got covid, how amazing, I can go to Australia!". lol

yeah, I don't believe he had covid.

The Czech doubles player has left Australia. The most interesting thing about this is how few people entered with the Tennis Australia 'exemption'. Other anti-vaxxer players must have known it wasn't valid for the border?

It seems pretty clear that Teams Tiley and Djokovic along with some quacks and corrupt government officials were complicit in their hoodwinking backfire. What a crock. The whole lot of them should be banished to a melting glacier in Antarctica.

The Kokk is looking thikk

Thikk Kokk is the best Kokk!

damm

There’s a chance that Rothenberg was wrong about the timing of the childrens event that was supposedly on the 17th. Photos were published on that date, but it looks like it’s possible that the event was also the 16th.

butterfly tat? hmmm

Kokk is a massive pussyhound.

Yea, that's old news.

Oh, come on ladies clutching pearls, if Novax had the anaconda at R165, you would have all given him the exemption, and one expiring on 2025th.

Great to see Felix and Shapo move Canada into the ATP Cup finals. Still I wonder if something happened between them a few years ago that broke them up as a doubles couple other than when they play for Team Canada. Now they seem cordial toward each other but not at all like they used to be.

[post redacted because independent.co.uk thinks that links to their ridiculous rag are a bad thing. Somebody might want to tell them how the internet works. Or not. We don't really care. They do suck though. Our advice is that you should not click on the link and whatever you do, don't read their truly terrible articles.]

If Novak is out my reserve is Rublev, he is so good looking.

One only needs to listen to his parents to understand how little reality and integrity matter in that family.

lmao Djokovic's bff and fellow right winger Pospisil keeps posting pro-Djokovic tweets and is attacking the ATP because they haven't come out on his side

I hope the shameless here stop lusting after this doubles specialist spoiled moron

Since when is Djokovic a right-winger? Did I miss something other than the vax?

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

This whole issue has absolutely nothing to do with the ATP. GS tournaments are run by the ITF. Djokovic's 'beef' is with Tennis Australia and the Australian Border Force. It has absolutely nothing to do with the ATP and they have no responsibility or authority over the situation. The whole fucking point of the GS tournaments is they exist outside of the ATP. You'd think Pospisil, a founder member of the PTPA, would know about that. What does he expect them to make a statement about? The fact they have completely nothing to do with any of it? That would be so helpful.

also, can't they test his blood? If he really had covid last month, he would have antibodies.

lol R464

It's a sovereign issue for Australia for god's sake. Let them figure it out.

R465 It has nothing to do with anything. Having had Covid within the past six months, antibodies for not, is not a criteria for entry for foreign nationals.

^ huhn?

It's really something to see how quickly Novaxx destroyed any reputation he had left. This will make a good case study for future PR students.

Thanks OP for the new thread.