Initially, Novak Djokovic, the world’s No. 1-ranked men’s tennis player, was quietly granted a vaccine exemption by Australia so he could play in the Australian Open.
But when the fact became known, all hell broke loose. Fans on social media blasted the tennis player…and their country.
One user wrote: ‘For the first time in decades I will not be watching the tennis. Novak Djokovic should not be given an exemption.
‘I hate the one rule for the rest of us, and another rule for the favoured few.’
While another commented: ‘So vaccinated Australians weren’t allowed to cross state borders to see their dying loved ones but Novak Djokovic is allowed to come here (possibly unvaccinated) from overseas to hit a tennis ball. Unbelievable.’
PM Scott Morrison quickly changed course, tweeting:
‘Mr Djokovic’s visa has been canceled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant.’
Djokovic had requested a ‘medical exemption’ though no reason was given. Last November, he lashed out at the media for attacking his vaccination status, saying ‘propaganda is spread that suits the elite or a certain group of people.’
He’ll be on the next plane back to Serbia.