BS: Aus Open without Djokovic

Subject: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: keberoxu
Date: 11 Jan 22 - 06:01 PM

Looks as if the Novak Djokovic story will run and run.
When one thing is overturned, the investigating will find something else.
You get the feeling that certain participants in the whole saga
don't care what is printed as long as the names are spelled right.
In another year, the Australian Open would get on with tennis without these distractions, but not this year.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 11 Jan 22 - 06:35 PM

There are some odd things going on here. He seems to have been less than frank about his foreign travels in the weeks before arriving in Oz, and that has a bearing on whether he should have been allowed in. Also, it puzzles me that he got his exemption because he had coronavirus in mid-December. Well lucky him! What if he hadn't caught it just then? As an unvaccinated person he would then have had to quarantine for two weeks after his arrival. Well he arrived on Jan 4. Wouldn't have left much practice time, eh?

I'm probably missing something here...

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: meself
Date: 11 Jan 22 - 08:27 PM

"as long as the names are spelled right" - well, given the names in question, that might be something of a challenge ......

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Jan 22 - 08:38 PM

people & journalists are commenting on the pics showing him unmasked with children, & at events in other countries in the same period.

Novak Djokovic needs one final green light from the government ... Serbia's Prime Minister Ana Brnabic has offered her government's assurances Djokovic will respect Australia's regulations if he is allowed to compete.
It comes after it was alleged Djokovic attended a Belgrade Tennis Association event while not wearing a mask on December 17 — the day after he tested positive to COVID-19 for a second time.
Ms Brnabic conceded this would have "clearly violated the rules" if the tennis champ had already received his positive result.
Former men's world number one Andy Murray weighed in on the saga overnight, calling for Djokovic to explain his whereabouts in the days after his positive test, adding the drama had proved a distraction for other players

... Documents released by Federal Circuit Court revealed the tennis star stated in his Australian travel declaration form that he had not travelled in the 14 days before his flight to Melbourne.
However, social media posts appear to show Djokovic both in Belgrade on December 25 and training in Spain on December 31 before his arrival in Australia on January 5, which would make the declaration inaccurate

... Politicians weigh in on Djokovic debate ... But views within the government are not unanimous. Liberal MP and chair of federal parliament's joint committee on law enforcement, Julian Simmonds, said the tennis star's visa should be cancelled again because he remains unvaccinated. "Certainly I would be in favour of the visa being cancelled … that would show Australians there is one rule for everybody and there isn't room for hypocrisy if you're a famous celebrity or sportsman," Mr Simmonds said ...

'cos as everyone knows film & sport stars & zillionaires have popped into & out of Australia over the course of the pandemic, Australian citizens are trapped overseas & can't get back, & other citizens can't leave or arrive to visit dying relatives ...

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Jan 22 - 08:40 PM

With a name like Novak Djokovic, it is easy to see it changed to "Novaxx" - and I hope that sticks. Entitlement is a real problem during this pandemic, and letting him get his way by playing both ends against each other sets a really horrible example. As quiet as tennis championship audiences are supposed to be, I'd be tempted to "boo" the guy during his appearances.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: JennieG
Date: 11 Jan 22 - 09:25 PM

Still, it already has been in Oz......several days ago.

One politician who is a former tennis player has come firmly on the side of "let him play", but I suspect many ordinary Ozzies whose lives have been affected by the covid plague - and that would be all of us - are hoping, even at this almost eleventh hour, that he won't be allowed to play. I know people who have said they won't be spending their TV time watching him play, this year.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 12 Jan 22 - 06:11 AM

I can't understand how he can blame his agent for filling in a form incorrectly. I also can't understand how he'd attended various functions knowing that he'd tested positive. As with Boris Johnson and his partying, I detect more than a whiff of entitlement here. If I were king of Oz I'd declare him persona non grata and invite him to try again next year. Him and his bloody anti-vaxxing. This chap needs to be taken down a peg or two.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: gillymor
Date: 12 Jan 22 - 07:57 AM

Give him a fair hearing then deport his ass.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 12 Jan 22 - 08:16 AM

Who cares, that game of bat and ball is as pathetic as its ludicrous scoring system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 12 Jan 22 - 08:42 AM

Give him a fair hearing then deport his ass."

Heheh. That reminds me of an episode of Blackadder 4 in which General Melchett found Blackadder guilty of murdering his pigeon before the court martial...

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Malcolm Storey
Date: 12 Jan 22 - 08:54 AM

He's broken the rules - kick him out!

Ditto Boris.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Jan 22 - 09:53 AM

Jockoitch plays outside in the sun that kills virus right?
I say let him play aboard a Cruise ship offshore where all his fans can attend.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Malcolm Storey
Date: 12 Jan 22 - 06:13 PM

Fine idea that - but - who would want to play him in such a dodgy situation?
Kick the bugger out!
By the way Donny he's not Scottish.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 12 Jan 22 - 07:23 PM

Jock itch isn't Scottish either, Malcolm - it's very much a "down south" issue...

I'll get me coat...

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Jan 22 - 09:33 PM

A feature article in the New Yorker.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Jan 22 - 01:55 AM

thanks, keb, that's an excellent article, with a lot of info I didn't know.

here's the latest from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation - 1 hour ago

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: JennieG
Date: 13 Jan 22 - 05:01 AM

I may be wrong - been wrong before - but I am tipping Novax will be allowed to stay under strict conditions, i.e. hotel - tennis court - hotel. No socialising, no stopping along the way to sign autographs for doting fans. Leave Oz as soon as his last match is over, do not hang around, do not pass go, do not collect $100. Just get out.

He has been drawn as top seed (lesser players are seedlings, it seems) and features prominently in TV ads for the tournament.

I yell at the TV every time he appears.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Jan 22 - 06:19 AM

wasn't it John Dengate's dad who threw his slipper at the TV?

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Jan 22 - 06:25 PM

Well, I was wrong. He is not allowed to stay.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Jan 22 - 06:43 PM

What he taught the kids is that being a sneaky rule breaking lying son of a bitch is a terrible way to go. That should be his legacy foremost.

Let France be the next to adjudicate his cavalier novax message.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 14 Jan 22 - 07:22 PM

follow live (latest post 23 mins ago) As per the court hearing, Djokovic's lawyers have until noon to file their outline of submissions.

Lawyers acting on behalf of the Immigration and Citizenship Minister will then have until 10:00pm to file their written response.

In the meantime the court will also decide whether tomorrow's hearing will be before one or three judges.

If the court chooses the latter, then the decision cannot be appealed to the full bench.

Then it's all back in court from 9:30am tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jan 22 - 07:58 PM

The saying "cheaters never prosper" isn't true, but "cheaters shouldn't prosper" applies here. All he needs to do is get the vaccine, and maybe when it hits his pocketbook he'll finally change his mind.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 14 Jan 22 - 08:09 PM

other folks, including some of his tennis colleagues have also suggested getting vaccinated.

latest from washington post ... While there is widespread anger over the arrival of the vaccine skeptic in a highly inoculated country that is enduring a severe spike in coronavirus infections, there is also frustration over the actions of Australian border agents, tournament officials and the government itself ...

Weighing the risk Novak Djokovic poses isn’t quite so simple, said Catherine Bennett, an epidemiologist at Deakin University in Melbourne.

“The protection from infection isn’t that different in someone who’s had a recent infection and someone who’s vaccinated,” she said, noting that it was unclear what variant was to blame for Djokovic’s positive test in December.

At the same time, Djokovic’s disputed medical exemption cuts against the spirit of exceptions, which are designed to help people whose vaccinations are disrupted by infections, not people who have shown no interest in getting inoculated, Bennett said.

Djokovic’s admission that he broke Serbia’s isolation rules and provided Australian authorities with inaccurate travel information could be viewed as adding to the health risk he poses, Bennett added.

“That’s the concern, that it’s not just one thing, it’s a multitude of things,” she said. “And that gets harder and harder for people to say, ‘Oh, well, we’ll just make an exception because he’s a good player.’ ”

Frustration with Djokovic is particularly acute in Melbourne, a city that loves its tennis tournament but has borne the brunt of Australia’s pandemic, including harsh lockdowns.

“Then you throw in Djokovic, who was not exactly beloved to begin with and who has been a bit dodgy when it comes to covid,” said O’Reily, “and you couldn’t have scripted a more perfect storm to get people angry" ...

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Hrothgar
Date: 15 Jan 22 - 03:21 AM

Simple rule - not double vaccinated, no entry. How did the politicians (including those in Tennis Australia) make it so complicated?

Boot him out.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Malcolm Storey
Date: 15 Jan 22 - 06:23 PM

Has he not gone yet?
Stilly - a recent report has Andy Murray (remember him?)as being worth £100 million.
So how much is Djokovic worth and how much damage will being thrown out of Australia do to his "pocketbook"?
Kick him out and ban him from future entry - he's taking the piss as your average Aussie might say.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Jan 22 - 08:04 PM

the latest from The Guardian - quote from his lawyers - Irrational' for minister not to consider anti-vax consequences of Djokovic deportation. Wood is developing the argument that the minister should have considered the consequences of deporting Djokovic on anti-vaccination sentiment.

latest from ABC - 6 mins ago - Lawyer says BBC article on Djokovic's views supports Minister's case. Mr Lloyd says the Minister obviously read the BBC article that Djokovic’s lawyers have used to argue there was a lack of evidence to cancel the visa. He also points to a line in the story that says anti-vaccine groups have treated Djokovic as a “hero or as an icon of free choice”. He says that's something that formed part of the Minister's considerations.

Both articles have live updates

one of my favourite quotes from earlier discussion answered the question "What else could he have done?" ans. Get vaccinated.

sandra - my new signature
(masked, socially distanced, sanitised, double vaxxed, & awaiting booster shot this week)

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: JennieG
Date: 15 Jan 22 - 08:59 PM

Meanwhile I am just going about my day....about to have lunch, and not tuning into the livestream which apparently has some of the world agog.

Just because someone is a 'celebrity' who kicks, hits or throws a ball around doesn't make them someone we should take notice of. (of whom we should ake notice?) He may be a hero in his own country, but to the average non-tennis playing Ozzie he's someone who should not have been allowed into ours. Or anyone else's.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Jan 22 - 09:59 PM

well said, Jennie

a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10406615/OLIVER-HOLT-look-Djokovic-dont-worlds-best-player-dangerous-fool.h"> OLIVER HOLT: Sorry if I am emotional about this because my father died of Covid ... but when I look at Novak Djokovic, I don't see the best player in the world - I see a dangerous fool

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 Jan 22 - 03:32 AM

i hour ago on the ABC link above - As Chief Justice James Allsop outlined before announcing the decision, the court's job was simply to consider whether the decision made by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke was unlawful, irrational or legally unreasonable.
The court found the grounds outlined by Novak Djokovic's lawyers failed to demonstrate that.
It means the decision made by the Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to cancel his visa stands.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: OldPossum
Date: 16 Jan 22 - 03:39 AM

There is food for thought in this article from The Telegraph

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Hrothgar
Date: 16 Jan 22 - 04:24 AM

Nice to know that this government can do something right, but why did it have to be so hard.

Possibly another separate point - if there are loads of Australians still overseas, double vaccinated and all, who can't get home, why are we letting any foreigners in at all?

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 Jan 22 - 05:30 AM

Imagine if Australia applied its new no-dickhead policy on Novak Djokovic to government troublemakers If being anti-science and an all-round jerk is grounds for the government to push the button, perhaps we can look forward to more action domestically ...

He won’t be missed by most, with the tennis world’s most unsympathetic protagonist doing little for his cause by confirming he defied health advice for a photo opportunity after testing positive to Covid, and then incorrectly filled in his immigration paperwork ...

But if being arrogant, anti-science and an all-round jerk is grounds for the government to push the button on its extraordinary deportation powers, then perhaps we can look forward to the government doing more about similar characters domestically.

Has Alex Hawke chewed the fat with Alex Antic or George Christensen in the Coalition party room lately? They make Djokovic look like a veritable quiet Australian, what with their calls for civil unrest, and suggestions state health departments are involved in grand cover-up conspiracies. (read on!)

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open w/, w/out Djokovic
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Jan 22 - 07:45 PM

Well, they got it right in the end. Congratulatians, Australia.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open with out Djokovic
From: JennieG
Date: 17 Jan 22 - 12:03 AM

This article lays it all out from a sensible viewpoint.

It will be interesting to see if Novax is allowed to compete in Paris.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open with out Djokovic
From: Mr Red
Date: 17 Jan 22 - 03:05 AM

Rules is rules. What is the loss of one huge payday to an already filthy rich individual compared to the need to curb a pandemic that is filling hospitals and killing people?

Yes he earned his millions but he don't need more. This is a case of luv, lost - IMNSHO.

What is next? More lenience on line calls? OK give him the points, he is a champ, and champs don't send balls out do they?

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open with out Djokovic
From: Donuel
Date: 17 Jan 22 - 11:19 AM

There is always someone who feels deserving of a special exemption to the human race, or science or respondsibility. His career is as injured as ACL injuries to both knees. Its his own fault.
The 'Archduke' of Serbia is really steamed over Australia's decision.
Jockitch will face a like minded France but he has Trump friends in America like DeSantis, Ted Cruz and a cast of thousands soon to be hospitalized.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open without Djokovic
From: keberoxu
Date: 18 Jan 22 - 07:40 PM

Now Chris Evert and John McEnroe are getting into the
(debate) act.

Newsweek, 17 January 2022

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open without Djokovic
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 18 Jan 22 - 07:58 PM

Chris Evert is seriously ill with ovarian cancer. Nowt to do with it, I know, but possibly worth mentioning. Good luck to her.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open without Djokovic
From: Malcolm Storey
Date: 18 Jan 22 - 08:31 PM

why did it have to be so hard? someone asks
Because there were the usual greedy grasping lawyers involved!

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open without Djokovic
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 19 Jan 22 - 06:53 AM

Djokovic seems to be trending on humour sites on FaceBook:

Novak Djokovic, first sportsman to be banned for not taking drugs.

Novak Djokovic appointed as trainer to England Cricket team. No history in the sport, but it took the Aussies two weeks to get him out ;)

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open without Djokovic
From: gillymor
Date: 19 Jan 22 - 08:36 AM

Novax did set one record, he's the first player to be knocked out of a grand slam tournament after missing only 2 shots.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open without Djokovic
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 20 Jan 22 - 04:50 PM

He had a whole year in which he could have been vaccinated, double or triple, so the late December infection (and the earlier one) are hardly surprising. He was lucky not to end up on a ventilator somewhere. Which all makes him think that he’s immortal but he doesn’t take into account the risk to other players, officials or anyone else he meets and the risk of his passing the virus to others. Well done Australia!

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open without Djokovic
From: Donuel
Date: 23 Jan 22 - 08:49 AM

dJokanovax, had the freedom to expose a hundred kids while dripping with Covid at the time. He had the common Sense to actually do it.
That he does not have the freedom to enter a number of countries is an assault on his freedom and common sense. He can shove his freedom and common sense up his sinus. He will always have the freedom to transmit disease someplace to his heart's content without fear of execution.
Afterall we are not the heartless ones.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open without Djokovic
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 Jan 22 - 08:53 AM

Oh dear, No-vaccs. Looks like, ahem, *somebody* got your test results, er, out of sync, in a way that would have benefited you...

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open without Djokovic
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Jan 22 - 04:45 PM

New evidence suggests Novak Djokovic’s ‘positive test’ to enter Australia doesn’t add up A BBC report has thrown fresh doubt on the positive Covid test Novak Djokovic used to try and enter Australia to play in the Australian Open ... Djokovic supposedly tested positive on December 16 - after which he admitted to going out in public and attending a photo shoot - before testing negative on December 22. But the confirmation code on the negative test (7320919) was lower than the code on the positive test (7371999), suggesting Djokovic did not test positive when he said he did ... But after examining 56 Serbian PCR test certificates, the BBC analysed the codes and found that they all went in chronological order as expected - except for Djokovic’s positive test ...

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open without Djokovic
From: The Sandman
Date: 28 Jan 22 - 05:22 PM

Djokovic has won 86 ATP singles titles, including a joint record 20 Grand Slam singles titles (tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal), five ATP Finals titles, and a record 37 ATP Masters titles. He is the only male player to have won all nine of the Masters tournaments, and has done so twice.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open without Djokovic
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 Jan 22 - 05:43 PM

And it appears that he could be a cheat.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open without Djokovic
From: Neil D
Date: 28 Jan 22 - 08:10 PM

At least the ball kids will be that much safer without the Joker around. Remember when he smacked one in the eye with a ball during a hissy fit last year.

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open without Djokovic
From: The Sandman
Date: 29 Jan 22 - 01:53 AM

I think there is an exaggeration of his importance on this thread,as for smacking a child in the eye that was an accident and certainly he is not the only tennis player to throw a hissy fit.
What i see on this thread is a lot of negativity, some puerile comments [novax]a lot of intolerance to other peoples views.
in a years time people will be wondering what all the fuss was about, there will be a new tennis champion, the australian tennis federation will have made a lot of money, the politicians will still be posturing the whole thing is a stoRm in a teacup, blown up out of all proportion by the media.
THIS ISSUE IS OP LITTLE IMPORTANCE
meanwhile children are starving in Afghanistan, OWING to westen meddling in the middle east

Subject: RE: BS: Aus Open without Djokovic
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 29 Jan 22 - 05:20 AM

Sorry, Dick, but he is a famous and influential public figure who is also an anti-vaxxer. We don't need people like that around.