Novak Djokovic is free to play the Australian Open.
For now.
The world No. 1, whose Australian visa was cancelled by government authorities when he arrived at the Melbourne airport last Thursday night, won his appeal to have it reinstated on Monday afternoon. Federal Circuit Court Judge Anthony Kelly made the decision following hours and hours of testimony that begin at 10:00 am.
Optimism surrounding Djokovic’s case grew when Kelly — very early in the proceedings — stated, “The point I’m somewhat agitated about is, what more could this man have done?”
Well, getting vaccinated is one thing he could have done.
Instead, Djokovic appears to have fabricated a positive Covid-19 test on December 16 — hoping that would allow him to eventually be granted entry into Australia and participate in the season’s first Grand Slam. If Djokovic’s December 16 test really was positive, then he made multiple public appearances in Serbia in the following days — unmasked — despite knowing he was infected. Either scenario, of course, is a PR disaster.
As such, controversy continues to rage Down Under. And the 34-year-old Serb is not out of the woods when it comes to his status for the Aussie Open. Government lawyer Christopher Tran told Kelly in the aftermath of Monday’s ruling that the minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services, and Multicultural Affairs “will consider whether to exercise a personal power of cancellation.” Alex Hawke was expected to make that decision later on Monday, but it is now delayed. Hawke has the capability of canceling Djokovic’s visa a second time, which result in deportation and an automatic three-year ban from the country.
Hoping to make that possibility less likely, Djokovic immediately went to Melbourne Park upon his release from the Park Hotel detention center to announce himself in Australia and stake claim to his right to be there.
“Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete @AustralianOpen I remain focused on that,” the nine-time Aussie Open champion posted on social media. “I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans.”
Djokovic’s ordeal began when he flew to Melbourne last week after getting a medical exemption from Tennis Australia to play in the tournament despite being unvaccinated. Upon arrival, however, Djokovic found out that there was a miscommunication–or no communication–between Tennis Australia and the Victorian government. Just because he was allowed to play a tennis tournament didn’t mean he was allowed to enter the country.
Four days in detention later, he is free to do both.
For now.
discuss
I have a feeling Djocovid the Super Spreader is going to learn all about the “amazing fans” in Oz.
Novak likes hostile crowds, it spurs him on.
Ricky, fix your poll, Nadal is not winning the AO LOL
I happen to agree that Rafa isn’t winning the AO this year – hey, Rafa agrees with that – but that’s no reason to take his name out of the poll. Alcaraz and Murray aren’t going to win either.
Where did Rafa agree he will not win ?
Why are ppl so sure he will not ..yes likely he won’t but anything can happen
We’ve heard righteous indignation ,specifically on here , at all of this , some of it justified, but from a purely tennis viewpoint , is it a good thing or not that Novak(x) plays at the AO?
Discuss.
I don’t think it matters. There is absolutely nothing good for tennis coming out of this clusterfux. It’s all downside. Goodbye, Happy Slam.
Not sure if it’s a good thing or not…mostly “not”….Rublev to win it all.
Zverev to win it all.
Oh good, you’ve picked the last guy I want to see win. Yep, that’s right Novax is ahead of Abuserev.
I prefer Medvedev
what is with this name calling? novax, abuserev? mods?
Novak should not play at the AO. This is not all about him and his quest for # 21 and his insatiable need to outdo Rafa and Fed. It’s about getting vaccinated. Doing the right thing. Novak wants to be the big star without any of the responsibility.
I have always given Novak his due as a great player who has impressive records in this sport. But as a person, I truly dislike him. For a number of reasons. He had that tournament where he and others got sick with Covid in the worst part of the pandemic. Throwing his racket and hitting a lineswoman with the ball. Being an anti-vaxxer.
This life and death. That is more important than tennis.
The fact that he is not vaccinated is actually a plus.
What people need to understand is this; the government knows Djokovic gamed the system but they use it against him publicly as the reason for cancelling his Visa because would leave them open to very expensive ligation.
So, they have to play the same game he’s playing and find evidence where he might have slipped up on a procedural level, and it looks like they now might’ve found something.
It’s got nothing to do with whether he supplied the correct documentation as per Tennis Australia’s guidelines etc, blah blah blah.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/federal-government-looking-into-whether-djokovic-lied-on-travel-form-20220111-p59nf2.html
but they can’t use it against him publicly as the reason for cancelling his Visa because it would leave them open to very expensive ligation.
I don’t think Djokovic can win it anyway. I think he’s a 4-5/1 chance after everything that’s happened.
Tiley could be under a bit of pressure moving forward, as well.
Novax’ team made the AO government look like fools, normally they shouldn’t just swallow it. Unless there are huge interests that he plays (maybe AO sponsors are also sponsoring the government party or controlling it, stuff like that) the officials should be building a very solid case to cancel his visa as they have a lot of reasons to do it. I mean come on, Novax and Tiley have been acting like mobsters to get him playing unvaccinated. Or maybe Djerkovic is THAT stupid and allowed himself to be painted into a corner by trusting Tiley and letting him do the dirty work, hoping to get away with it. So he doesn’t trust medics on vaccines but he trusts a businessman… hmmm…
It’s quite simple even not taking into account stuff like fake Covid-19 test, incorrect travel declaration, etc.: he shouldn’t have gotten the visa as he’s not vaccinated and being recently infected is not a valid exemption. Period. Okay, he got the visa by mistake (I suspect it was corruption as well and this could be the icing on this cake) so they should correct the mistake (if corruption can’t be proven), apologise to Novax, compensate him and kick his ass out of the country. Hell, if Tiley told him that it’s legal to shoot people in Australia would Novax have gotten away with it?
There’s no such thing as “pure tennis” because it’s played by people. Would you enjoy watching Stalin play if he was a superb player? So in this case, Novax playing would probably cause a lot of people to lose interest for AO. I just can’t see the upside of him playing under the circumstances unless he loses in the first round (poetic justice).
Well said Cristian P. Absolutely agree with you and NNY.
Well said Cristian P, YOU “can’t see the upside of him playing under the circumstances”.
Thank God there are those who do.
Is the ao draw relayed live ? Or behind closed doors ? I just dont trust Tiley one bit, he is the most cunning n distrusting of the lot.
I am so angry! Now they are saying that Novak’s visa may have a problem. He lied about something. Where on earth does this end? Now I read that he tested positive late in December!
What is going on with him? This is the # 1 player and he acts like he can just flout the laws and regulations. Like he should be above it all. What is with the arrogance and dishonesty?
He has become an embarrassment.
Who’s rattling your cage?
Calm down, breathe…
2 Aussie newsreaders have been taped discussing Novax during an ad break and the tape leaked. They called him a ‘lying sneaking a;;hole’ who was getting away with playing on technicalities. They basically said they didn’t believe a word he said about anything which is what most of us think. If they are representative of opinion in Melbourne Novax is going to get a very rough ride. People have said he thrives off boo s but he’s never been in this kind of situation has he? I am not sure how it is going to affect him.
His reputation has taken a big hit.
His Serbian fans in Australia will come out in full force to support him n i believe melb has lot of serbians
Btw I thought serbia was a small country..how are they so many serbians at all tournaments in the GS n my they are really loyal to Novak ..i don’t think the Swiss or Spanish guys come out on such numbers for Rafa or fed in countries outside Spain n Switzerland
To many people, Djokovic is symbolic of all the inequity and exploitation in the world alongside Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and corporate America.
We need to abolish this mentality from our society.
The US is culpable in a lot of this, IMO. That’s where all these players get their lead from. They think if that’s that world we live in, if they are the rules, then I might as well so everything I can get away with also.
“might as well do everything”
Stop blaming the US for the bad behavior of athletes!
Who pays the big sponsorship deals?
Who promotes a win at all costs attitude?
Who is the most exploitative of consumers?
Who has the high level of inequality?
1000 lines later, still going…
Andy going at Novak saying the media shld grill him abt his test n isolation
https://www.sportskeeda.com/amp/tennis/news-it-s-positive-novak-djokovic-s-detention-anymore-still-questions-need-answered-andy-murray?article-trending
A journalist from Der Spiegel has published an article saying the digital URL on the Serbian website shows Novax getting a positive test back on the 26 December not the 16…!
There is a kind of endless timeless quality to all this…perhaps it will never end and every year will have fresh revelations..
Rafa says he doesn’t see himself as a genuine contender for the AO…😐😐😕😕
4th round/quarters at best.
Rafa can win another RG if he trains hard and schedules to perfection. If he does, he’s a 3/1 chance.
Am sorry but there are so many anomalies and dubious elements in Novax’s story that I don’t think he should be allowed to play.
Tennis Australia shouldn’t have broken their own rules that the deadline for the exemption was the 10.
There is a real possibility that if he plays some new set of revelations will occur while he’s playing and they are forced to kick him out and the tournament itself is affected.
I already made my comments about Novak. But I do agree that more bad things keep coming out. Now it’s his visa. This is just too much.
He should not play. No one is above the law or regulations and rules. Not even Novak.
It is just so unfortunate that he thinks he can get away with anything.
Novax has his faults and I cant understand anti vaxxers , but its obvious the just about everyone having a go at him here is a huge fan of a certain rival who would benefit greatly if Novax didnt play the AO….very convenient , I have to say.
If Rafa ever acted like NoVax I would no longer be his fan – in fact I wouldn’t have become his fan in the first place! Rafa is very unlikely to win AO this year whether Djoker is there or not. He’s there to compete, to “try his best”. It’s what he enjoys doing but as he’s always said, joy in victory is a temporary thing, good for a week or two of happiness then you move on to the next challenge.
I do think NoVax will continue to represent tennis poorly but tennis has survived plenty of other “unworthy” champions. Maybe it will survive him too. NoVax’ family has him confused with Jesus, Buddha and the gods know who else. It’s no wonder NoVax thinks he’s a god.
Please give me a break! We deserve more credit than that! I don’t think Novak not playing at the AO, means that Rafa is going to have a free pass to win it. Even Rafa does not think he is going to win. He just came back from six months off. He is not physically in the kind of condition to win a slam. I wish it was different, but I have to be realistic.
I am actually offended that anyone would think this was all about getting Novak out so Rafa can somehow win. The problems with Novak that have come out, are quite serious. He had a positive test for Covid near the end of December. He was seen with kids in Spain when he said he did not travel. Now he has lied on his visa. He has refused to get vaccinated. He had a closed practice session on Rod Laver court. They are saying now that other tennis players are getting fed up with the special treatment for Novak.
People trying to make this about Rafa fans wanting Novak out so he can supposedly win, are conveniently ignoring the troubling issues that have come up Novak. They reflect badly on him. He should not get a pass if he lied or misrepresented facts. His obsessive quest to beat Rafa and Fed with more records and wins, seems to pretty selfish in a time when so many have died from this terrible virus. So much suffering. Novak should be thinking about the high cost of this pandemic and his important it is that everyone go along with rules and procedures to protect everyone.
Where did you hear about other tennis players being fed up ?
Nny, I just noted there was a correlation thats all. While I totally agree Novax is in the wrong Id like to hear some of his own fans say that .I started out wanting him to win the AO but the more I hear he should either get vaxxed or pull out.
Novak has literally just admitted on his instagram that he went out to events knowing he was positive for a potentially fatal, highly infectious disease. He breezily calls it a lapse in judgement but it is far worse than that 2 years into a pandemic. And I have no idea who on earth defends this kind of behavior or laughs it off. This has nothing to do with tennis or fandom or who likes which player. I’ve paid to see Djokovic play numerous times live but I never will again in my life. I don’t care how many slams he wins. Stunning to me that the AO is sanctioning this but ultimately you reap what you sow.
Ruby,
Thank you! I think you said it all. Novak does not seem to be taking this virus seriously at all. The more that comes out, the worse it is. The fact that he doesn’t get how egregious his behavior has been, is even more troubling.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYnO7cDqbdj/
Novak says did not know he was positive on 17th for kids event but knew he was positive on 18th for lequipe shoot yet did it. Now how is this excusable ? Accepts error in form but blames it on agent ..again convenient
I think he should voluntarily pull out
I agree that Novak should voluntarily pull out. His actions have been appalling. Blaming what he did on others is not going to cut it. He has to stop thinking only about himself. This is a life and death issue.
While I do think Novak should pull out, I honestly don’t see him making that sacrifice. His records are too 8mortsnt to him. Such a shame.
Also agree with NNY that Novak should voluntarily pull out, no matter how unlikely. It would be the most selfless and graceful thing he could do and the best outcome for everyone, including tennis itself and all the other players who are unfairly put in the middle of this nightmare. It might even be best for Novak, preserving at least a few crumbs of his reputation and giving him a chance to get out of the heat, reflect, and try to repair things if he so chooses.
It would certainly allow the tournament to be nearer to normal without constant distractions and controversy (as well as preventing what may well be a circus of booing and crowd chaos every time he plays). And it would spare TV commentators the awful position of having to joke around lightly with someone who has been seen to thumb his nose at the same Covid regulations that so many have struggled to abide by at great cost.
Pulling out is no big tragedy. (After all, assuming he really did get Covid at the last possible moment, what if he hadn’t? Would he have skipped the AO anyway or was there a Plan B?) He can still participate in 3 other slams this year, presuming he follows the laws of those countries and the requirements of those tournaments.
Will the AO govmt have the guts to cancel ? Making a mistake on the form is reason enough ,does not matter who filled it,the name is his.
Secondly Covid irresponsible behaviour is reason enough to do so..
Key qn .will they have the guts ? If they don’t ,too bad
How are his fans going to defend him for Covid irresponsible behaviour , here he knowingly attended photoshoot n interview n flouted even Serbia rules
They better have the guts to cancel his visa, Sanju. Djokovic will never withdraw, hell will freeze over before he ever does that. The Australian authorities should cancel his visa immediately.
Djokovic so called explanation even makes things worse. Does he think the Australian authorities and people in general are children with no brains that he can give this nonsensical explanation. I don’t believe a word of it. They should cancel his visa, period.
What are they waiting for happy ? For him to win the title and then cancel ? The draw is tomm in exactly 22 hrs
I think the Australian n Serbian govmt are talking. How will Serbia react knowing he has admitted he did not isolate n still did a photoshoot n interview . Will the Serbian PM tell Djokovic to withdraw ?
How will the players react now knowing that Djokovic did not follow Covid appropriate behaviour ? His biggest enemy turned supporter kyrgios what will he say now ?
No one cares for Kyrgios thinks. His story and what he stands for changes by the minute.
“what kyrgios thinks”
If you ask my personal opinion. I think he never had Covid, it was a falsified test to gain entry ..but I could be wrong
That’s definately a strong possibility.
N the biggest thing. Djokovic never even informed anyone he was positive when he met several ppl on 17th many of them kids. Was it not his social responsibility to do so ? If he really had Covid, how many did he infect? Is a grand slam above basic ethics and correct behaviour
I’m assuming twitter ,insta ,fb are only means to inform. He met unknown ppl ,surely he won’t call them n inform 🙂
sanju, it’s very very difficult to believe a word he says about the test. And there are so many anomalies. Why was he allowed to submit it anyway beyond the 10 December deadline for exemptions?
He intimated to everyone he was going to play and had already applied for the visa. So what was he relying on to get an exemption if his story is genuine? Because if it is then he had no argument whatsoever to get an exemption.
I just don’t believe anything he says any longer. It looks like it’s all being cooked up on the spot.
He is in danger of completely trashing his own reputation.
One very very strong reason why he shouldn’t play is that more revelations may come out while he is playing. What are they going to do then? Chuck him out before a sf or final? All of this just needs to stop.
PS Tiley has a lot of questions to answer about his role in this..
Nny, good to see you here!
I have left you a number of messages on various threads. I was quite worried about you as you were away for a while.
Hope the knee isn’t causing you too much pain..?
amy,
I just had to move. If you can believe this. The place I was renting is being sold. My knee doctor made me get a cane. The knees are both bad. The left is worse. But as we know, it is dangerous to have elective surgery now. The Governor here in Florida is simply ignoring the virus. He is a monster. Little Hitler is what I call him. The local county officials are trying to get people tested because the Governor is MIA.
The move was a nightmare. I had movers and there were problems. I will talk about it on the non-tennis forum.
I am livid over this whole mess with Novak. I have zero respect for him.
That’s terrible nny!
I was worried something was wrong..
Sending you love and support
Xxx
Ps it would be so wonderful if Rafa can have a good AO…
OK I just read the details. Novak is now saying he didn’t get the test result until the 17 after the event with kids. But his own sworn court affidavit, a legal document no less, says he was tested in the 16 and got the result the same day.
No one can believe anything he says.
But that still makes no sense! Even if he had gotten the results two weeks after the test he should still not be all over the place not knowing his true status. That just makes it even worse!!! Novak just needs to give up on this and go home cause he and his tea had made a ham of this visa/exemption debacle!
OK massive kudos to JJ Vallejoa who is a tennis writer and massive Novax fan. He has tweeted ‘I am just so done with all this. Can that minister make the very obvious decision and deport him so we can all move on with our lives.’
Novax’s reputation is in shreds and if he stays it will only get worse.
sanju, the AO draw is to be livestreamed on facebook tomorrow.
Apparently the Serbian government have been putting a lot of political and diplomatic pressure on the government and that is why they are dithering about deporting him.
What political pressure? Is Serbia a bigger country than Australia and has more standing than Australia? And what diplomatic pressure – he has filled wrong info and floured Serbias rules itself. Is Australia okay to be unfair to its own citizens and will Australia set a wrong precedent going forth that any errors on the form are okay as long as you claim you did not fill it
There’s a big shadow cast over the whole event now whether they let him play or not.Sad.
If they let him play and more and more revelations come out then the reputational fallout for everyone will be worse…
The International Tennis Writers Association has slammed Novax over his interview with L’Equipe when he may, or may not, depending on which day it is and where the moon is in relation to Jupiter, have had covid.😀😀
A lot of players are saying very rude things about him and posting insulting emojis..
Which players ? I did not read anything apart from fuscovis abd Souza. .can you point to link
What happens if they do the draw and he gets chucked out over the weekend or Friday? What’s the protocol?
Does every seed move up one to that place in the draw?
No a lucky loser will replace him I think. It will screw the whole draw
Jon Wertheim just sent an apposite tweet saying when do we get the Grand Slam Joint statement of Condemnation which Osaka got within a day of not going to a press conference? In it they said all players should be treated the same regardless of stature..😂😂
They were happy to hang Osaka out to dry but they haven’t said a word about Novax.
I am disgusted over this whole controversy with Novak. His reputation is going to be ruined. Great player or not, you simply cannot lie and be dishonest about having a deadly virus. Too many people have died. Yet Novak seems concerned only with playing to win more slams so he can pass Rafa and Fed. He does not seem to get that this is a time when caution should be the order of the day and all precautions taken to protect the lives of people.
A far as the Serbian government putting pressure on the Australians to let Novsk play, excuse my language but that is just bullshit. Who the hell do their they think they are?
Novak is to blame for this debacle. No one else.
Rafa practised with zverev today. That is good
Rafa also practised with Diego
I think it’s first time I saw him practising with Zverev. I know he has with Medvedev ,berretini ,thiem before but never seen him with Zverev , tsitsipas
It really didn’t sink in for me until this morning. Novax *deliberately* exposed the L’Equippe staff to covid? He pissed off writers?!? Now I know no one thinks all that much of tennis writers/journos (apologies to Ricky and Cheryl) but seriously??? Short of vomiting all over Tiley, who worse to PO than the people who write about you? And he travelled to their office in France??? That wasn’t an “error in judgment”. It was a total lack of judgement. Otoh, it’s not like I actually believe he ever HAD covid in December 2021. I think he faked the teat result and now he’s trying to cover his totally exposed *ss. It’s quite clear that he will do anything short of the obvious – getting the vaccine! – to play the AO this year. And Serbians – like the little lemmings they are – will all plunge right over the cliff behind him.
Who travelled to office in France ?
The interview was in Belgrade in his tennis centre not France
I don’t think he had a positive test result on the 16 either.
He’s now got himself into yet another mess..
What’s the jury out on him ? Will he get deported and visa cancelled or will he voluntarily withdraw or will Australia do nothing and still play ?
No idea. Could go any way…
Tiley and Macnamee may well end up regretting their attempts to fix things for him though…it may end up ruining the tournament.
I hope Novak gets Alcaraz in the third round but knowing our luck Rafa will get him..😕😕😑😑😯😯
Novak will never withdraw voluntarily. He is too obsessed with breaking the tie and getting to # 21. This is his best slam and his chance to go ahead with the most slams. That is what he cares about. Not obeying the rules. Not taking proper precautions because of the virus.
Australia should deport him and cancel his visa. If they make an exception for him, it will be a mockery of their own rules for the virus.
Djokovic is 5-6/1 chance now. At his age, everything needs to be smooth rolling to win majors.
He knows there’s a large contingent that don’t want him here. That will be in the back of his mind.
His opponents will likely being their A game, as well.
“bring”
I appreciate Becker’s devoted loyalty to Djokovic but blind loyalty is never a good thing and I think reflects poorly on his judgement.
Becker and Goran should shake hands; two of the most biased people in tennis.
I don’t think that Novax has any reputation to “ruin” outside Eastern Europe. Most of his followers are believers of conspiracy theories and they will choose to believe that he has been framed. I already heard that Djerkovic opposed to Australia opening a lithium mine in Serbia this is why he’s in trouble.
Can’t shame the shameless. He brought this on himself by posting that he travels to Australia using an exemption. Presumably he was assured that nobody will take a closer look on his travel documents. He certainly did not expect those documents to become public and investigable.
For someone who knows how things work in the Balcans, no documents originating from Serbia are credibile. I don’t think that Noxax is that bad to knowingly infect people, the Covid test is 99% manufactured much later and given a date to match visa requirements rather than anything else. Novax’ people are now trying to find the least damaging explanation possible. Hopefully he doesn’t make it to the draw.
Now, on Nadal’s fans slamming Novax now, why didn’t they like the Serbian in the first place? Maybe because he always seemed a “lying, sneaky a..hole”?
Disclaimer: By “followers” I meant “die-hard fans from Eastern Europe” in the context – not just fans appreciating his tennis 🙂
The fact that you are “someone who knows how things work in the Balcans”, really reveals that you might be the biased one…
https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/live-immigration-minister-alex-hawke-will-reportedly-boot-out-djokovic/news-story/f48109ef20068028caf0b05173853183
Golly. Not one positive comment about Novax, his family, or even his coaches some of who9m are legends in heir own right.Depressing.
Okay. Goran was a great serve and volleyer. Becker was a truly great player. Novax’ family seem to love and support him.
How is that relevant under the circumstances? Except his mother (which seems to try staying out of this) the others are supporting Novax’ wrongdoings so why on earth would anyone make positive comments about them in this context?
Cristian,
Thank you! What on earth does making positive comments about his mother and his coaches have to do with anything? Good grief!
Novak’s father publicly asked Queen Elizabeth to intervene on behalf of his son! WTF! His parents have made it seem like he is being held hostage.
Sorry, but I can’t be positive over someone who would throw his agent under the bus. Novak should take responsibility for the visa in which they checked the “NO” box to answer whether he had traveled in the 14 days before coming to Australia.
I am reading online that Novak fans are trying to go after Rafa. He revealed that he tested positive in December and quarantined. It seems that some Novak fans are vindictive enough to try to make up something to distract from the mess their guy created.
As far as the draw, I expected it to be tough with Rafs bring # 6 now.
Damn, the Australian Government is being brutal by prolonging this. They want to make sure Djokovic doesn’t get a good nights rest before his first match and that his chances of winning it are minute.
This is what I call a lesson in humility. Lol
Don’t worry Fed, we’ve got your back! Your legacy will not be diminished.
Horrible draw for Rafa ..kokinakkis ,kachanov, hurackz, zverev ,nole ,Medvedev lol
Btw Novak has a Serbian in first round ,so does not matter if he rests or not ..his draw is easy peezy till qf
Murray could be a dark horse to go deep at the AO this year. He’s just going about his business quietly. He really likes this tournament; it could set a solid platform for the rest of this year.
Djokovic has one of the hardest draws in a while given the circumstances which doesnt say much; most of his draws over the years have been a walk in the park until the semis or final.
Tommy Paul – 24 yrs of age and start to hit peak form.
Lorenzo Sonego – Has beaten Djokovic before and has youth on his side.
Gael Monfils – In the form of his career and a player everyone else would want to avoid.
Pablo Carreno – Beat Djokovic at the Olympics at the USO. Djokovic doesn’t want to play an in-form Carreno.
Alexander Zverev – Beat him at the ATP Finals and Olympics
Medvedev (or Sinner) – Beat him at the USO. Will be looking to make amends after last yers loss.
He will play either monfils or busta. .not both
Djokovic is a 5.50 chance which is about the same as Sinner.
Sinner may even be shorter than that given he’s on the easier side of the draw.
A draw is just a draw. It’s the beginning of the season so surprises are always on the cards. Remember 2017 when Federer and Nadal played the final, both coming back from injuries. We’ll know more heading into the second week of the tournament.
Murray v Sinner.
That’s not a good draw fur either player meeting that early. Both are week 2 contenders.
Murray beat Sinner in the autumn..
Sanju, if they do boot Novax out before play starts the draw will be changed. 5 seed will move to 3, 9 to 7, 11 to 9 and so on. You said yesterday it would be a lucky loser so I thought I would tell you.
So we are not actually sure who Rafa is going to play. At some point today I will work out what that will be.
If it happened, he would have Rublev in the quarters wouldn’t he? Just saying that it could all change. Atm he has a very tough draw but it could end up looking very different.
No change to rafas draw at all irrespective of what happ to novak. Rafas draw stays as is. It’s a horrible draw..kokinnakis / kachanov / hurackz/ zverev / Novak / Medvedev ..god
Well if Novax is booted out Novax won’t be there!
BG says Rafa’s draw is horrible as well..but things could change…look at wimby where all the top seeds except novax lost early..
Martina has said Novax should suck it up and go home.
A big survey done in Australia shows 83% want him deported.
Several political journalists are saying their sources are saying the government is leaning towards deporting Novax. Political journalists are usually in the know.
If they are going to do it they need to do it before play starts!
Ok now Rothenberg is saying something completely different. It all depends on whether he is kicked out before the OOP is released. In which case Rublev goes to Novax’s spot and Monfils to Rublev’s. What an utter farce all this is!😠😠😠
Amy..he is not going to be deported . If they had to do it ,would have by now . What are they waiting for ,it’s 3 plus days..btw who many political journalists ? One guy said surely today but that did not happen
I think he will be sanju. The reason they are delaying is because they want a case that can’t be defeated by Novax in the courts..
They should have delayed the draw. It didn’t have to be today. Other slams don’t do it until Friday.
amy,
You are correct. They have to dot the i’s and cross the t’s to cover themselves. They do not want to give Novak’s lawyers anything on which they can appeal.
Novak clearly needs to be deported. I read that another female player was deported for the same reason. Lying on the visa is probably the worst part of it.
I read an article posted on VB that said Novak should never have been allowed in the country in the first place.
The Australians will look weak and foolish if they do not enforce their own rules and procedures.
Ok just reading that the government are going to want another reason other than the fake covid test for an exemption.
This is where we find out that Novax has been pluckily and valiantly playing with a heart condition. He hasn’t told anyone about it because he’s an amazingly empathic and thoughtful guy and didn’t want to upset them. Numerous Serbian heart specialists will swear this is true and his father will ask for Novax’s angelic behaviour to be commemorated weekly with choirs and votive offerings. Everyone will agree.
If I get this right, the Australian minister for Immigration can cancel any visa and the decision is final (cannot be overturned by anyone). Since the decision is personal, I think that the only thing that Novax can attempt would be a civil suit against the minister himself. However, even if his claim is admissible (probably not), that would only entitle him to monetary compensation.
I guess that they don’t want to be held responsible for trimming Novax’ GS tally. At this point they are probably trying to figure out whether it’s more damaging to keep him or to deport him. They might be trying to persuade him to leave “voluntarily” so that everybody gets less damage, basically trying to reason with an unreasonable man. I also suspect that Novax feels like they are bluffing and they don’t have the guts to cancel his visa again. And he might be right!
Unfortunately this is not about the right thing to do here, not anymore.
I respectfully disagree Cristian P, this is not about “trimming down his GS tally” guilt. No sane government official cares about that, when people are dying from Covid and the whole world is suffering from Covid. The minister of immigration will cancel his visa, they just want to make sure the cancellation and decision is taken and done to perfection.
Let’s be real here, Djoko is not God and nobody cares about his grand slam tally. That’s a really childish excuse for not cancelling his visa when he’s not vaccinated and refused to do so, he lied and endangered lives with his Covid lackadaisical attitude, he probably forged his Covid “positive” test and is playing by his own rules. They will cancel his visa to set a precedent that nobody is above the law.
The Prime Minister has said no king of Scotland, queen of England Elizabeth nor tennis star is above the law or rules, that they all must follow the rules when coming to this country. That sums it up perfectly. They have the guts to cancel his visa and they will cancel it emphatically, his grand slam tally or whoever he thinks he is be damned.
Happy,
I have to believe that you are right. I don’t see the authorities giving a damn about his grand slam tally. They have to answer to the people. There have been sacrifices made by the people of Australia and that should be respected.
The one who cares about his grand slam tally is Novak. He would do anything to play here in his best slam. His records and obsession with being the GOAT is all that matters to him. He has lied and falsified information. He threw his agent under the bus for indicating on his visa that he did not travel 14 days prior to coming to Australia.
Novak thought he would get away with it because of who he is. I hope the government officials mean what they say that even if it was a King or Queen Elizabeth herself, there are NO exceptions. Otherwise it’s as though they are saying that human lives don’t matter.
Novak went to that interview knowing he was positive for Covid. But he never told the journalist or photographer. There are pictures of him in Spain before he traveled to Australia. He doesn’t care about the pandemic.
I just hope they go the right thing. The decent thing. Send a message that the rules are for everyone, no exceptions for a top athlete who thinks the world revolves around him.
They don’t care about Novak’s Grand Slam tally but they care a lot about the future of Tennis Australia and the Australia Open itself … and therein lies the problem. Not many ways to go to bat against Djokovic’s entry into Australia without going after the very people who so cynically facilitated it (while clearly knowing they were going against the letter of the law.)
I hope they do the right thing too but am very doubtful now — though I think they will regret not acting if he wins as the world will see an incredibly empowered anti-vaxx movement with a hero who appears above the law. (Which might not be Djokovic’s intention but it’s going to happen anyway.) And no matter what happens next with Covid, the world isn’t done with pandemics or the need for vaccines.
I am sure they won’t. I just wish they say it and stop this waiting game . I am frankly more bothered of Rafas horrible draw
What is going on with you? You don’t know what they are going to do.
So you are bothered by Rafa’s draw? He will handle it and do his best. It is what it is. At least he is playing. I would think you might be happy about that instead of being so relentlessly negative.
You called it, NNY! I was really doubtful after they allowed the draw to be made with Djokovic in it but here we go again.
https://www.spectator.com.au/2022/01/welcome-to-australia-mate-jab-or-jail/
The post above is not by me amy. It’s by some imposter…I would never post anything from the Spectator. It glorifies Nazis for one thing. I haven’t bothered to read the article.
Think I know who is pretending to be me…
There used to be a poster who was Stanley’s bf and who became joker. Think it’s him.
changed to CroCop
Ah I see! 😉😉
Thanks very much Ricky!!
Insightful. I knew about Stanley but not his bf or aliases.Must spend more time on here
Here we go again. Minister revokes.
And Djokovich will challenge.
Amy: he’s like Johnson, doesn’t know when to go.
Haha Margot!
That scarcely sentient pork pie Johnson is about to be chucked out..
Andy is in a final and playing well. I see him beating Sinner at the AO!! He beat him in the autumn and I honestly think me can do it again..
he not me!!😀
Amy, now I’m reading about “Operation Save Big Dog.” Beyond belief.
Novak is a disgrace. Sorry but I can’t be anything but contemptuous about him. He is selfish and arrogant and narcissistic.
It is truly an embarrassment to have him as the #1 player.
Nny, just wanted to ask how you are feeling after your horrible move?
I very much hope things are improving for you…
amy,
I am not going to lie. It was really difficult. This is one time I did not want to move. I had movers and there were problems with them. Everything that could go wrong fix go wrong. My knee doctor made me get a cane when he heard I was moving. I am not going to talk about the gory details, but under the best of circumstances moving is quite difficult. I had to postpone getting shots in my back. I am on blood thinners so it takes a week to get off them. I will get the shots on January 24. I have a back doctor who is a gift from God. It will take a little time but I am trying to just deal with it.
It’s not easy getting older but moving like this just makes it worse.
Thanks for asking. 😍
Sory to hear you’ve gone through a bad time NNY. Hope things improve. Take care.
Margot,
Thanks. Lovely to see you here again. Andy is looking good these days. So nice to see!
Is your Prime Minister going to get the boot with a vote of no confidence?
Alas no 🙁 He’ll cling onto power like a leech and will have to be prised from power with a very sharp knife, probably wielded by Sunak.
Margot, Looks like Rich as Croesus will replace him. I read that his hedge fund’s dubious manoeuvres started the chain of events leading to the government bail out of the banks.
He’s just the man for the Tory faithful..!
hey NNY, do you still use the same email?
VR,
Yes I do.
Hi NNY, I haven’t been visiting tennis grand for quite some time now; I don’t know how are you doing. Reading from the comments here, you’re not doing well physically, I hope you are getting better now, do take care!
Lucky,
How great it is to see you here! I was wondering where you were.
It has been difficult with this pandemic. Elective surgeries are risky with this virus. The wurst thing is the Governor here in Florida. I call him Little Hitler. He is just horrible. He has not taken the virus seriously.
So far I am hanging in there.
Thanks for your kind words. ❤️
Nny, I was,worried you were going through a very bad time. I am so sorry. I absolutely hate moving. There is something profoundly emotionally and psychologically disruptive about it and to do it under these kinds of circumstances must have been very very stressful.
Thank God you have a great back doctor. That is really important!
Sending you my love and support again and thinking of you..
Xxx
amy,
Your words are so true. Thank you for realizing just how bad it is now to move. The rental market is very bad. Prices have gone up and there is very little available. This is the time to stay put. Physically I was not in any shape to move. It took a lot out of me and I am just exhausted. So much went wrong.
It is one of life’s major stresses. Right up there with divorce and death.
It takes a while to get settled. You know it’s bad when your doctors are worried about you having to move.
I am looking forward to watching the tennis. It will be so nice to see Rafa playing again.