IS used to win everything, And he won it again this time. But, in this case, it is not a very painful one red clay match, but perhaps something much more important.
Novak Djokovic, 34 years old, Serbian tennis player number 1 in the ATP ranking, is the demonstration that the rules don’t apply to everyone. And that i money and fame (they sponsor) matter much more thanethics, from the health and of reasonableness.
Djokovic, victory at Wimbledon (Instagram)
Novak Djokovic and vaccine exemption
The sportsman just has received the green light to participate in the Australian Open, scheduled from 17 to 30 January in Melbourne. The point is that the tennis player is not vaccinated, on the contrary: it seems to be really a no vax convinced (it was nicknamed precisely No-vax Djokovic).
For him, though – despite Australia going through a moment of great difficulty in terms of health and is coming out of a period of lockdown of over 260 days, with an average of infections that stood at 50,000 cases – she has arrived a vaccine exemption.
Djokovic himself revealed it, with great enthusiasm, to his followers on Instagram, where he shows himself at the airport and about to leave with a group of suitcases and bags. Still, the rules were clear: the organization of the Australian Open a few months ago had established the compulsory vaccination for all athletes participating in the Slam.
The Vice Premier of the State of Victoria, James Merlino, last December 8 he had also reiterated the concept, saying that «all the participants must be fully vaccinated. Medical exemptions cannot be a loophole for privileged tennis players“.
Novak Djokovic receives the cup from the hands of the Duchess of Cambridge after beating Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2019 (LaPresse)
Novak Djokovic’s Instagram post
«Happy New Year everyone!», Wrote on Instagram Djokovic, who will go hunting for the fourth title below. “I wish you all health, love and happiness in every moment of your life and that you can feel love and respect towards all beings on this wonderful planet. I had a great time with my loved ones over the Holidays and today I’m leaving for Australia with an exemption permit. Let’s go 2022! “
The premier: “For him, no special rules”
The reaction of the Australian premier was immediate Scott Morrison, which instead took the vaccination situation very seriously. The politician stated that will bring the tennis player back “with the first plane” if his exemption wasn’t seriously motivated.
“We are waiting explanations and to provide us with supporting evidenceSaid the Australian premier. “If this evidence is insufficient, then it will not be treated differently from no one else and will return home on the first plane. There will be no special rules for Novak DjokovicHe thundered (below, from Reuters).
On the same wavelength too Craig Tiley, director ofAustralian Open, who asked more details to the sample on the reasons for its exemption. “It would be helpful if Novak explained them conditions under which he applied for and obtained an exemptionSaid the president of the Australian Federtennis. “I encourage him to talk to the community about it. We went through a very difficult period in the last two years e I would appreciate some answers about”.
Craig Tiley and Djokovic last May (Instagram)
The four possible exemptions
Meanwhile, waiting for that Novak Djokovic provides these explanations, several players have reported a favorable treatment towards the tennis player, who in April said he was against mandatory vaccination.
Below, a tweet from Roberto Burioni
But also various sportsmen, showbiz personalities, experts and ordinary people all over the world does not accept this preferential lane reserved for tennis players. That he would not be entitled to any of the four possible exemptions: one acute medical condition that led to hospitalization or surgery, a recent swab positivity which would lead to one vaccine slippage of six months, a serious side effect derived from the administration of the first dose or conditions related to mental health which could make the vaccine a risk.
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