Novak Djokovic deported, won't compete in Australian Open after bid to play unvaccinated fails

[brooklynite]

Source: Washington Post

MELBOURNE, Australia — Tennis star Novak Djokovic has left Australia after losing his legal challenge to remain in the country and compete in the Australian Open despite not being vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Djokovic departed Australia at 10:39 p.m. local time, on an Emirates flight to Dubai.

After a weekend of hurried court hearings, a panel of three Australian federal justices unanimously upheld the immigration minister’s decision to cancel the unvaccinated athlete’s visa on the grounds that his presence in the country might incite anti-vaccine sentiment and “civil unrest,” clearing the way for the country to deport him and ending his hopes of competing in the Australian Open.

Although it would have been possible for Djokovic to appeal the ruling to Australia’s High Court, the timing of Sunday’s decision — roughly 24 hours before Djokovic was due to take to the tennis court — made another challenge unfeasible.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/01/15/novak-djokovic-australia-visa/

[RAB910]

1. Good! Screw the unvaxed!

[olegramps]

41. Far too many Prima Donna athletes believe rules don't apply to them.

It is unfortunately cultivated by the extreme adulation of their fans. It is equally unfortunate that similar treatment is not given to those who actually provide the people with a host of valuable services.

[Clash City Rocker]

2. I wish we could deport some of these antivax fools from planet Earth

[Orrex]

3. Good. Fuck him.

Why the fuck is he traveling internationally unvaxed anyway?

[mitch96]

4. My guess b/c he is an "important" person with lots of $$$.......nt

[Orrex]

5. I'm sure that you're correct.

Rules are for little people.

[dchill]

20. We just can't wrap our heads around it.

[calimary]

30. We shouldn't have had to wrap our heads around it in the first place.

This wasn’t hard. No vaccination? No entry. Period. You follow the rules for the sake of public health and safety. PERIOD.

And NO exceptions. No matter WHO or HOW BIG or HOW “EXCEPTIONAL” you think you are.

[stopdiggin]

16. he HAS traveled to other countries

and played (and won) in other tournaments - while espousing the same beliefs (and lack of vaccination). Australia has decided on tough policies for entrance (which is perfectly within their right) - other countries (including some we know well) have not.

[Escurumbele]

37. Actually, I would be surprised if he flew in a commercial flight, these people usually fly on

private planes, they may not own them but there are companies where, if you have money like they do, you sort of buy a timeshare on a small jet and you can fly wherever you need to, in their case it would be to tournaments.

Some of them do own the private jets though. They fly with an entourage, flying 20 people is about $15,000.00, which is the same to chatter one of those private airplanes, or in the case you own one, it is about the same as well, including the pilots salary.

[Orrex]

38. Probably true, but countries shouldn't let unvaxed assholes in without lengthy quarantine

[ProfessorGAC]

42. Because I Flew Private Six Times....

...i used to get emails on my work email asking if i needed to book a flight.
I found out that the cost of booking a single flight (no long term lease) is between $3k and $6k per hour, depending on the size & luxurious of the plane.
For someone with hundreds of millions, that's a pittance, as a 12 hour flight each way would only be $150k for an expensive one, that flies a dozen people. Now, if they're going to be there a couple weeks, they may have to pay for deadheading each way, too. But still, 300 grand to get 12 people 7,000 miles ($25k per person) is pretty affordable for the very rich.
BTW: Best private flight story. I got a call from a law firm for a case in which is was testifying as an expert witness.
About 7pm one night, i get a call on my work phone. Lead litigator says they've changed the order of witnesses and they want me to go on first. i wasn't expecting to have to leave until the following Sunday night.
I have to be in Wilmington, DE by 8am the next morning. i tell him "How could i possibly get there?" He says they've arranged a private jet and all i have to do is call this number.
I call it and the women is very helpful. I ask her "What time is the plane leaving?" Honest to goodness, her answer was "When you get here. Call us from your car 20 minutes before you get here." I tell her i can leave in a half hour and it will take 90 minutes to drive there.
I get there, a guy takes my bags onto the plane, another guy gets in my car to park it. I get on the plane. Three minutes later, we're lifting off the runway.
I have no doubt why rich people fly this way!

[mountain grammy]

6. Good..

[Cryptoad]

7. lock his thug arse up!

[patphil]

8. The winner of the Australian Open will get $4.4 million. Djokovic gets $0.

[Alexander Of Assyria]

14. Science Wins Australian Open!

[BlueWavePsych]

33. +1

[SayItLoud]

17. He wants GS win 21 more than $$$.

Now he has to try on clay and grass before coming to NYC to put others at risk.

[Walleye]

9. I would love to hear him try to explain why he did this

[Hiawatha Pete]

10. .

[2naSalit]

11. And he truly deserves to be sent home.

I hope he just fades away after this.

[Cozmo]

15. He is ranked #1 in the World, will be interesting to see how this all plays out

[Dr. Shepper]

12. Good. There are consequences

For lying on a visa app.

[Deuxcents]

13. Good

Rules with some teeth for those who feel they are special.

[nycbos]

18. Excellent job Austrailia

[LoisB]

19. Praise the Lord and pass the peas!

[RicROC]

21. buh-bye!

[niyad]

22. Thank you, Australia.

[Paladin]

23. Some good news, this Sunday morning. (nt)

[rurallib]

24. Australia decides for the good of the whole, not the good of the asshole

Well done Australia!

[calimary]

31. Ooooooooh! NICE one!

[Submariner]

25. It's going to be a movie

[Fritz Walter]

26. In the meantime,...

Faux Snooze's on-air stooges will be lining up to protray him as a vax martyr, stirring up the anti-vax elements here.

[Raftergirl]

35. Not far from the truth. There is going to be a Netflix series

and they’ve been in Australia filming since beginning of January.

https://about.netflix.com/en/news/netflix-to-serve-up-documentary-series-following-mens-and-womens-pro-tennis

[Bev54]

27. Left his reputation in Australia and gained a whole new one that is not going to be kind to him

[calimary]

28. YAAAAAAAAYYYY!!!!!

Make an example of him!

This is a KILLER disease. Cautious behavior is an ABSOLUTE. NO exceptions!

I’m so glad the officials didn’t bend to that arrogant schmuck. Thank Heavens!

[twodogsbarking]

29. He can still play with himself.

[BlueWavePsych]

32. BWAHAHAHAHAHA

[Raftergirl]

34. I watched the hearing and then

stayed up until the decision was announced.

Novaxx lawyer was terrible. Rambled and kept repeating same stuff over and over.

The govt lawyer was very good. Clear and concise.

The judges looked bored to tears.

Re the appeal mentioned in WaPo article. That info is incorrect. Only chance for appeal would have been if case was heard by one Judge, but his lawyers argued against having only one Judge during Saturday’s hearing, The government actually argued for case to be heard before one Judge.

Because it was heard by 3 Judge federal panel there could not be an appeal by either side.

[Rebl2]

36. Finally

a country that will stand up to the unvaccinated!

[Cha]

39. TY Australia!!

[SunSeeker]

40. Great tennis player, but an idiot.

Last edited Mon Jan 17, 2022, 03:36 PM - Edit history (1)

He admitted that his travel form to get into Australia included a false statement and that he had failed to isolate immediately after he tested positive last month, adding to the scrutiny from Australian officials and the world’s media.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/djokovic-australia-travel-form-mistake-not-isolating-positive-covid-rcna11884