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Post by Stellar on Jan 5, 2022 9:23:42 GMT 10
From News.com Australia disgusted as Djokovic receives vaccine exemption
Australians have exploded in a fit of fury after noted anti-vaxxer Novak Djokovic received an exemption to play in our tennis grand slam. Despite public claims by Victorian government officials in recent months the world No. 1 would not be allowed to take part in the grand slam if he wasn’t fully vaccinated, Djokovic is heading Down Under in search of a 10th crown at Melbourne Park. Djokovic has refused to make his vaccination status public but in April 2020 the 34-year-old said he was opposed to mandatory jabs. “Personally I am not pro-vaccines,” he said at the time. “I would not like it for someone to compel me to be vaccinated so I can travel.” Djokovic announced the news of his exemption on social media on Tuesday night, sparking a wave of fury from Aussies — particularly in Melbourne and Sydney — who have endured months of restrictions and lockdowns over the past two years. Sports writer Daniel Cherny called it “weak as p**s” while ex-AFL star Corey McKernan tweeted: “People with loved ones who are dying / some needing urgent treatment cannot get into their own states. You tell people they can’t go to Coles or a cafe without being vaxxed but if you’re world number 1 you get a pass? F***ing disgrace.” Footy journalist Jon Ralph said: “What a rort. Watch everyone dodge the responsibility for him somehow getting an exemption. “People will be going to bed right now to get up at 5am to do the right thing to get into testing queues for PCR results they won’t get for six days and will quarantine anyway. How bloody galling to see Novak get an exemption. Farcical.” Journalist Samantha Lewis tweeted: “Everybody attending the Australian Open has a patriotic duty to boo Djokovic for the entirety of his stay. this is an obscene decision and organisers should be f***ing ashamed of themselves.”  Let's hope he does get booed!  Why should this effing entitled tennis brat be allowed to give us the finger on his vaccination status? WHY IS THERE ONE RULE FOR TENNIS ELITE AND ANOTHER FOR US AUSSIES!!! Full story here ... www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/should-be-ashamed-australia-disgusted-as-djokovic-receives-vaccine-exemption/news-story/ad9c957c0d8cfec6bc6fc0098ba02bca |
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Post by Gort on Jan 5, 2022 9:26:46 GMT 10
Yep, this is pretty annoying. On the other hand, I suppose he has a level of natural immunity, having contracted COVID last year. Still, it rankles that the elite have different rules to the rest of us.  |
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Post by Stellar on Jan 5, 2022 9:49:07 GMT 10
Not sure what variant he originally contracted. Probably the first which was milder than Delta. However he should be subject to the same rules as everyone else! Some of the other lesser players were saying that the medical exemption wouldn't be allowed as an option for them. And some journalists were asking what possible "medical condition" could he have as an elite No. 1 tennis player?? |
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Post by Gort on Jan 5, 2022 9:54:29 GMT 10
Hopefully, the crowd will give him some indication as to how they feel about the issue.  |
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Post by matte on Jan 5, 2022 10:01:51 GMT 10
He got the exemption fair and square.
In fact, during the process, those granting the exemption don't even know who it is for. They had no idea it was him they were giving an exemption to.
One of the criteria for an exemption is having the virus within the last 6 months as it isn't recommended a person get the vaccine so soon after infection.
It is well known he has had the infection.
It is none of our business.
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Post by Gort on Jan 5, 2022 10:10:30 GMT 10
He got the exemption fair and square. In fact, during the process, those granting the exemption don't even know who it is for. They had no idea it was him they were giving an exemption to. One of the criteria for an exemption is having the virus within the last 6 months as it isn't recommended a person get the vaccine so soon after infection. It is well known he has had the infection. It is none of our business. It is well over a year since he tested positive ... 23 Jun 2020That's 561 days 1 year, 6 months, 13 days 18 months, 13 days |
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Post by Stellar on Jan 5, 2022 10:29:27 GMT 10
Well now that's a spanner thrown into Matte's excuses.  Facts. Disregarded by anti vaxxers and their supporters. |
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Post by matte on Jan 5, 2022 17:06:18 GMT 10
I might go down to Melbourne to watch the Australian Open and the matches he is at.
Good on him for pursuing the exemption.
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Post by matte on Jan 5, 2022 17:07:26 GMT 10
He got the exemption fair and square. In fact, during the process, those granting the exemption don't even know who it is for. They had no idea it was him they were giving an exemption to. One of the criteria for an exemption is having the virus within the last 6 months as it isn't recommended a person get the vaccine so soon after infection. It is well known he has had the infection. It is none of our business. It is well over a year since he tested positive ... 23 Jun 2020That's 561 days 1 year, 6 months, 13 days 18 months, 13 days How do you know he hasn't been re-infected within the last 6 months? He might have been, he may have recently attended an immunity party :-) |
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Post by matte on Jan 6, 2022 8:56:31 GMT 10
How embarrassing for Australia, throwing out a man who does not want to be vaccinated.
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Post by Stellar on Jan 6, 2022 9:04:44 GMT 10
Embarrassing for him, definitely not for us!
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Post by Stellar on Jan 6, 2022 9:07:22 GMT 10
Novak Djokovic has been told to leave Australia after his visa was cancelled as the storm around his vaccination exemption exploded! Yay! The tennis star was told to leave the country today but reports suggest he may challenge the decision in Victoria’s courts. Even Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic became involved, calling Djokovic and providing an update via an Instagram post ... “Just got off the phone with Novak. I told "our" Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him, and that our authorities are taking all measures to stop the harassment of the best tennis player in the world in the shortest possible period,” Vucic said. “In accordance with all the norms of international public law, Serbia will fight for Novak Djokovic, for justice and truth. Oh FFS! |
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Post by Gort on Jan 6, 2022 9:59:57 GMT 10
I hope he really does get deported. There is no place here for such a high profile anti-vaxxer. BTW ... if he was reinfected within the last 6 months ... then that blows a hole in his "natural immunity" claim doesn't it?  |
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Post by pim on Jan 6, 2022 10:01:28 GMT 10
The Manus Island Open is thrilled to announce wild card entrant Novak Djokovic www.theshovel.com.au/2022/01/06/the-manus-island-open-announces-wild-card-entrant-novak-djokovic/In a surprise announcement this morning, little-known tennis tournament The Manus Island Open has confirmed that world number one Novak Djokovic will play as a wild card entrant, and could arrive on the island as soon as this afternoon. Djokovic was expected to play the Australian Open in Melbourne, but his team applied for a wild card spot in Manus at the last-minute instead. The tournament – part of the ATP Challenger Tour – has never hosted a player ranked in the top 2,000 before, but organisers say they’ll make the Grand Slam champ feel welcome. “We’re expecting he’ll spend quite a bit of time here,” a spokesperson said. Djokovic is likely to take a ‘special charter flight’ to the island later today, with organisers confirming there will be plenty of personal security on hand during the star’s stay. “We have great facilities here. There’s a small concrete wall which he can use as a practice court. There’s food. We don’t think he’ll be able to leave”. The tournament is expected to last at least nine years. More to come.
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Post by Gort on Jan 6, 2022 10:03:36 GMT 10
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  |
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Post by matte on Jan 6, 2022 10:04:29 GMT 10
BTW ... if he was reinfected within the last 6 months ... then that blows a hole in his "natural immunity" claim doesn't it? No one is immune. Even people with the booster are getting the virus. |
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Post by Gort on Jan 6, 2022 10:36:53 GMT 10
If no-one is immune but the condition of entry to Australia is proof of vaccination ... then off he should trot.
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Post by Stellar on Jan 6, 2022 12:58:19 GMT 10
The world No. 1 was initially provided a medical exemption to enter Australia despite not being vaccinated. But upon his arrival in Melbourne failed to provide satisfactory entry requirements. In a statement, the Australian Border Force said they would “continue to ensure that those who arrive at our border comply with our laws and entry requirements”. “Mr Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently cancelled,” the ABF said in a statement. “Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa cancelled will be detained and removed from Australia." Novak Djokovic supporters take to the streets of Melbourne ....  |
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Post by matte on Jan 6, 2022 13:37:37 GMT 10
This is an international embarrassment. We are the laughing stock of the world.
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Post by pim on Jan 6, 2022 17:13:58 GMT 10
No Mad Matt, but you are the laughing stock of at least two boards |
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Post by matte on Jan 6, 2022 19:34:08 GMT 10
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Post by matte on Jan 6, 2022 20:19:06 GMT 10
I absolutely love Sophie Elsworth from The Australian.
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Post by caskur on Jan 7, 2022 0:31:52 GMT 10
I think this story is as funny as hell and it is now a global story it is even funnier...
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Post by Stellar on Jan 7, 2022 7:56:52 GMT 10
I think it's hilarious that he's in an immigration detention hotel with the hoi polloi and a judge actually thought it was "not unreasonable" to ask whether that particular hotel where he's staying might have available to him tennis practising facilities? ![]() |
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Post by Stellar on Jan 8, 2022 8:34:48 GMT 10
Boris Becker who used to be Djokovic's coach, joins the call for him to get vaccinated. Becker says he's making a big mistake. He admits Djokovic faces an uncertain future if he is not vaccinated. From Tennis 365 “On this occasion I think he is making a big mistake in not getting vaccinated. It is one that threatens what remains of his career and his chance to cement himself as the greatest player of all time,” Becker said in a column for the Daily Mail. “Four times I sat in his box as he won the Australian Open, so I am fully aware of his great strengths as an incredible competitor. I also think he has a great character that can easily be misunderstood. “Yet these strengths can also be weaknesses. The same incredible determination which I saw win so many close matches can be a vulnerability with his stubbornness.” Becker feels if Djokovic does maintain his vaccine hesitancy, it could present more hurdles to his playing career. “He is incredibly strong-willed, with very firm beliefs. If he does not, then in 10 years he will look back on it and realise he made a mistake,” Becker said. “It is not just about Australia. The fact is that we are living in a different world and he is going to find it very hard to live the life of a professional tennis player travelling around without the vaccination. “Those are the rules, whether one likes them or not, and you have to accept it. Maybe one day we will get back to a more normal situation, but at 34 he does not have much time left to pursue his goals. “As someone fond of him, I know he will be suffering. He will be shocked at the treatment he is getting, in a bleak room with his meals shoved under the door. “It will be all the more disconcerting because he loves playing in Australia and perhaps no stadium more than the Rod Laver Arena.”  |
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