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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 28: Novak Djokovic of Serbia tears up as he talks about Kobe Bryant after winning his Men’s Singles Quarterfinals match against Milos Raonic of Canada on day nine of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 28: Novak Djokovic of Serbia tears up as he talks about Kobe Bryant after winning his Men’s Singles Quarterfinals match against Milos Raonic of Canada on day nine of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)
Two days ago, World No.1 Novak Djokovic received a medical exemption to play at the Australian Open 2022. However, yesterday he was refused an entry inside Melbourne due to a visa mix-up.
Not only was Novak Djokovic refused admission to Melbourne, but he has also been forced to stay in a separate location away from his rented apartment and team. Reportedly, Djokovic is barred from communicating with his team. Furthermore, he still doesn’t have access to his belongings.
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#Djokovic has been denied the request to spend his quarantine period in a rented apartment where his team is at. Still doesn't have his wallet, and his belongings are at the airport. Some bugs in his room, also.
— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) January 6, 2022
Novak Djokovic is staying away from his team
The 2022 season certainly hasn’t started on a good note for Novak Djokovic. He was refused entry at the airport, as he “failed to provide appropriate evidence” for his medical exemption. He is presently being kept away from his team and apparently, there are even bugs in his room.
Reuters
Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Paris Masters – Accor Arena, Paris, France – November 7, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his final match against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
The reporter clarified in a subsequent tweet that ‘bugs’ referred to insects (and not listening devices.)
“Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa canceled will be detained and removed from Australia,” the airport officials said in a statement about Novak Djokovic.
We’ll have to wait now and see what happens in Melbourne as far as the sensitive matter of Novak Djokovic’s entrance is concerned.
Watch Story: US Open Disqualification to No Entry at Australian Open: Novak Djokovic’s Biggest Controversies
Rafael Nadal’s views on the bizarre situation
The Spaniard Rafael Nadal recently revealed his stance on Djokovic’s scenario.
He said, “From my point of view, the only thing that I can say is I believe in what the people who knows about medicine says, and if the people says that we need to get vaccinated, we need to get the vaccine.”
Reuters
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – June 11, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic shakes hands with Spain’s Rafael Nadal after winning their semi final match REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
After testing positive for the Covid-19 last month, Rafael Nadal has now recovered. He looks fit and is performing well on the Australian circuit. He has now reached the quarter-finals in Melbourne and will face Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands.
In addition, Nadal will be aiming for his 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open 2022. If Djokovic is not allowed to compete at Melbourne Park, Nadal stands a good chance to register a historical record.
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