Unvaxxed Novak Djokovic Gets Medical Exemption To Play Australian Open

by Staff | January 4th, 2022, 9:50 am
  • 58 Comments

Novak Djokovic will be defending his Australian Open. The World No. 1 confirmed earlier today that he received clearance from the Australian government to play the Australian Open.

“I’ve spent fantastic quality time with loved ones over break & today I’m heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let’s go 2022!” Djokovic posted on twitter.

With nearly everyone already in Australia, Djokovic was among the last holdouts as he waited on his status.


Unvaxxed players, as Djokovic is thought to be, needed a medical exemption to participate in the event, and the tournament confirmed that Djokovic finally got hit — other players have also received medical exemptions.

According to the tournament, the exemption requests are reviewed by an independent medical panel who do not know the name of the applicant.

“Djokovic applied for a medical exemption which was granted following a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels of medical experts,” the tournament said in a statement. “One of those was the Independent Medical Exemption Review Panel appointed by the Victorian Department of Health. They assessed all applications to see if they met the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation guidelines.”

In a statement, the goverment of Victoria — the state is home to Melbourne — released a statement as well: “Any player who is granted a medical exemption will have gone through a two-stage, independent process to verify they have a genuine medical condition that meets the criteria for an exemption.”

But what is Djokovic’s medical condition that gave him the exemption?

As Djokovic heads to Australia, the debate will rage as to how he got in. But he will be there, trying to win a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam and 10th Australian Open title.


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58 Comments for Unvaxxed Novak Djokovic Gets Medical Exemption To Play Australian Open

Milos Says:

Well I think we all know what the medical condition is which allowed for the exemption.

Novak Djokovic has been recently diagnosed with being the greatest tennis player of all time.

:)

January 4th, 2022 at 11:07 am


PK Says:

Looks like the rules don’t apply to everyone.

January 4th, 2022 at 12:33 pm


Jason Says:

Aussies will be thrilled! They live in an open-wall prison last two years, now they will learn that different laws apply for Jupiter and the ox.

January 4th, 2022 at 12:59 pm


Miloš Says:

Aussies should have done something about their crazy government measures. This is really not Novak’s fault. Furthermore double blind panel decided on this exemption, so they had no idea who they are giving exemption to.

January 4th, 2022 at 3:38 pm


Milos Says:

Actually it is a medical exemption that is based on underlying medical condition that would make vaccine unsafe. Not exemption from vaccine as the article suggests.

January 4th, 2022 at 4:01 pm


Wog Boy Says:

Well according to these 500 + comments, lot of Aussies, actually majority, are congratulating Nole for standing his ground and say “blame the government”:

https://youtu.be/CEJ652_Zg-U

As for the fans in Melbourne park, who cares, I wish NY fans were booing him and not cheering him, he would have won USO if that was the case.

January 4th, 2022 at 4:26 pm


lylenubbins Says:

Congrats Novak! Too bad he needed an exemption, he should be allowed to choose, but this is the next best thing.

January 4th, 2022 at 5:23 pm


Wog Boy Says:

Hahaha, I love this reaction on Novak, and that’s up north where hardly any Serbian lives, but True Blue Aussies, if it was Sydney or Melbourne overpass you could blame local Serbians, check the photo, priceless, I will buy those Queensland people beer next time:

https://mobile.twitter.com/istinajzer/status/1477750344411193345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

January 4th, 2022 at 7:11 pm


Giles Says:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-59876203 Yep, send the faker on the next plane home! He is an absolute disgrace to the sport.

January 5th, 2022 at 5:07 am


Van Persie Says:

Vaccinated or not, I do not care, am happy that I will see matches with Nole at this AO:)

Happy New Year to you all!

January 5th, 2022 at 5:36 am


Miloš Says:

Mob mentality is getting really strong. I thought the westerners are a bit more sophisticated than that, but apparently not. Their own independent panel decides on the exemption and they are barking mad about it. Go figure.

First they don’t recognize Chinese and Russian vaccine, now they don’t recognize their own expert panel.

January 5th, 2022 at 6:05 am


Wog Boy Says:

Not one, but two independent experts panels, one of them set up by the very same government?!
The problem is that federal election is this year, federal government rating is going down the hill since they stuffed up big time with testing and refusing to provide free rapid test kits, they can score cheap political points on Nole, even they are the ones who set up the rules for medical exemption.
So yes, everything is possible, the plane is due to land in about one hour.

January 5th, 2022 at 6:26 am


Wog Boy Says:

Happy New Year VP.

January 5th, 2022 at 6:27 am


Dave Says:

I can’t believe how much sports has changed in recent times. It’s getting to the point for me where sports is becoming unwatchable. Seriously it’s all about drama now. Drama sells and there are millions of critics everywhere with their opinions. The Drama in so many races and after so many races in Formula 1 this year was hard to stomach. A protest by Mercedes or RedBull and complaining over and over again with inconsistencies everywhere. Watching the Tom Brady documentary Man in The Arena you can see it’s so much drama from the media constantly where it’s so draining for the athletes. And from a spectator’s viewpoint, unless your addicted to constant drama, it also becomes extremely draining. It seems it’s harder and harder to watch sports just for the satisfaction of enjoying the beauty of a match anymore. Just simply sitting down and enjoying a match for the sake of enjoying the match with no strings attached. Have fun trying to achieve that these days. And I’m only giving a few examples in sports. The sports media creates villains and good guys constantly. No wonder Tom Brady and Djokovic speak on the phone every week. They’ve lived the same lives as super villains of their sport. You take a deep dive into other sports and you will find the same things happening. Honestly, if you just read the stories from the media and didn’t see the human side of the individual you would think Tom Brady and Novak Djokovic were 2 of the most horrible people to walk the earth. Just to be clear I’m only talking about sports and don’t get involved with politics from Governments of different nations. I’m simply talking about sports and the constant drama being connected to players from all major sports across the board here. And if you decide not to read any articles about sports and what’s happening to avoid the drama. Don’t worry, the announcers will get you up to speed on all the current drama in the sport. Drama is what’s selling more than appreciating the skill set of the sportsman these days. Sports used to be able to be a nice recreational diversion. Now it’s becoming mostly about drama. And I don’t see it getting any better in the future. Only worse. Drama sells.

January 5th, 2022 at 10:33 am


skeezer Says:

Dave,
Sorry, Tom Brady is not a super villain of his sport. There is little comparison with Djoker.

January 5th, 2022 at 11:50 pm


Dave Says:

Skeezer,

I’m not sure how much you truly follow the NFL. But the Patriots were easily the most hated team in the NFL and Payton Manning was way more loved than Brady. Just look at how many critics have bashed Brady over the years. The NFL was my favourite sport way before tennis came along for me so I’ve followed it closely for quite some time. There are actually many parallels between Brady and Djokovic and I could say many more things to prove it. But no need.

January 8th, 2022 at 1:39 am


Wog Boy Says:

Dave, you are too good man, don’t feed the troll.

January 8th, 2022 at 2:15 am


Dave Says:

Wog Boy,

Thanks for the advice. I’ve kind of shifted a bit on what might happen. I could be totally wrong. But I just can’t see Craig Tiley and Tennis Australia not getting the green light to allow those exemptions. It’s just not making sense that he would take such a big chance with the players coming to Australia on these exemptions and not have made sure 100% that he was given the okay to do it. I definitely think there is more than a zero chance that Djokovic might get a chance to play. What do you think?

January 8th, 2022 at 2:23 am


Wog Boy Says:

I am with you, I said I believe he has more than zero chances, they might rule injunction which will allow him to stay under certain conditions, which will be enough to play AO and leave the country on his terms, but yet saving government embarrassment.
This afternoon they “leaked” video message of Craig Tiley to his staff in which he is shifting the blame on federal government and saying that he is in regular touch with Nole.
Now we have blame game and Federal Court judge has plenty of time to think about it, we are still underdogs but hope dies last.
I just want Nole to stay strong and stay proud….and he he wins sue their ass.

January 8th, 2022 at 2:44 am


Wog Boy Says:

^^^^ for Dave

January 8th, 2022 at 2:45 am


Dave Says:

I read about the leaked video. That definitely gave me more confidence.

January 8th, 2022 at 2:50 am


Dave Says:

Also,

If Djokovic and his lawyers weren’t absolutely convinced that they had a case that they could win with I just can’t see Djokovic staying in this hotel/borderline prison cell with terrible food for 4 days not truly believing they had enough evidence to get this overturned.

January 8th, 2022 at 3:09 am


Dave Says:

Medvedev and Zverev are both out of the ATP Cup now.

January 8th, 2022 at 3:36 am


Wog Boy Says:

Dave, if it wasn’t for Nole we would never find out that there are asylum seekers who arrived here as 15 years old kids 9 years ago and they are still in detention in that shithole!

January 8th, 2022 at 3:48 am


Dave Says:

So there it is. He got infected on December 16th. There’s no way to get infected a month after and give it to someone in Australia. It’s just not possible being infected that recently. So he’s literally zero danger to anyone right now when it comes to the virus. I know that’s not what this is about. Just hearing people saying he’s endangering people by going there to play. He’s actually less danger than others because he can’t even get the virus right away again.

January 8th, 2022 at 3:48 am


Van Persie Says:

WB, Dave,

I am also very pessimistic that he wins this one, as it would be, as WB said, a too big of an embarrassment…it is already an embarrassment for the government of Australia.
But I am very proud that Nole put a fight and did allow them to intimidate him. It musst be very hard…I would not be able to do, what he is doing.

But let’s see what will happen next.

January 8th, 2022 at 4:01 am


Van Persie Says:

Correction: and did NOT allow them to intimidate him

January 8th, 2022 at 4:02 am


Wog Boy Says:

This saga starts to remind me on the TV Show “Bull”, that I like to watch, and when all red faces start to turn into green faces, now Mats Wilander is praising Nole, stay tuned, miracles do happen:

https://youtu.be/TeCbJnuQcSo

January 8th, 2022 at 5:08 am


Wog Boy Says:

Live from outside Nole’s detention Center, at this very moment, we never give up, neither Nole does it:

https://youtu.be/xJOxyc3Z8Fc

January 8th, 2022 at 5:26 am


Giles Says:

Does he really want to play the AO after all the animosity especially from the Australian people? He’s not gonna get a good reception when / if he goes out on court. How will his mindset be? In a way I feel sorry for him.

January 8th, 2022 at 7:10 am


Dave Says:

Giles,

Read the last what Kyrgios said. He wouldn’t want any part of playing this Djokovic. He would be unstoppable basically after this.

January 8th, 2022 at 7:44 am


Giles Says:

Dave . Lol. Do you really think I give any credence to that loser’s words? 👹👹

January 8th, 2022 at 7:51 am


Van Persie Says:

WB,

Thank you xor sharing the video :)

I am hearing this now, for Nole ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riQlPpk7Mxc

January 8th, 2022 at 7:53 am


Van Persie Says:

I do not understand Serbian, but I love the music :)

January 8th, 2022 at 7:55 am


Van Persie Says:

WB,

For Nole, that’s his spirit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfacevnz6iE

January 8th, 2022 at 8:02 am


Dave Says:

Giles,

Even if you don’t like Djokovic it’s common knowledge that he plays his best when more people are against him. When there is greater resistance it motivates him more. Even if you don’t like Kyrgios, he like everyone else knows this about Djokovic.

January 8th, 2022 at 9:11 am


skeezer Says:

Dave,
I read that (re: Dec infection) also. If so he probably should have gotten a medical exemption.

January 8th, 2022 at 9:23 am


Dave Says:

The fastest I’ve ever heard of someone getting re-infected from COVID was 3 months afterwards. So if that’s the case, he’s literally not able to even get COVID until the end of March. The Australian Open ends at the end of January. So I think I’ve finally come to a conclusion about everything after going through tons of information.

The Victorian Government and Tennis Australia Approved his exemption, which has just been confirmed by Craig Tiley. The Federal Government Approved his Visa. So if that’s the case and now either are now going back on their words, I don’t see how this case won’t get overturned. If Craig Tiley or anyone from tennis Australia has an email or anything from the Federal Government about approving Having COVID 19 in the last 6 months as an appropriate exemption to play, it’s seems it’s case closed and he plays. I’m of course still not entirely optimistic that will happen. Just trying to completely understand all of the details.

January 8th, 2022 at 10:09 am


Dave Says:

Skeezer,

This was the most helpful video I’ve seen to help me form conclusions on what could easily happen. Again, I’m not getting into politics or taking sides, it’s to try to find out if some will be approved to play a tennis match.

https://youtu.be/vmkh_4cLyUI

January 8th, 2022 at 10:18 am


skeezer Says:

Dave,
I’ve had a unvaccinated relative family member get infected twice, within 4 mos. Another reason to get vaxxed…
Regarding the Countries entry rules(NOT TA), I have not read anywhere there is an exemption for previous covid infection, only you must be vaccinated to enter??

January 8th, 2022 at 10:20 am


Dave Says:

Craig Tiley sounded very confident that they were given full approval to issue these exemptions based on having COVID within the last 6 months. If what the former immigration official said about how the issuing of visas work is true, then there was not a mistake made by Djokovic or Tennis Australia. So if the visa should never have been issued in the first place and was already approved, that has nothing to do with Djokovic. So actually to give a sports example. If In football a close call has been made and the other team throws a red flag challenging the call on the field, the officials need to see enough evidence to overturn the call on the field when they look at the instant replay in order to have it overturned. So if it’s to close to call. The original call stands. So from what the Immigration officer said: The Federal Government has to basically have enough evidence that the requirements for the cancellation of the visa have been met after they already approved the visa in the first place. So now it’s a matter of having enough evidence to why you cancelled a visa you originally approved. I don’t know if that makes sense. But that’s what I got from some of the info in the video.

January 8th, 2022 at 10:37 am


Dave Says:

This is like trying to solve a mystery of what really happened. Lol. It takes an insane of time to go through all of the information to find out what really happened and how things actually work in this process. It’s definitely complicated to say the least.

January 8th, 2022 at 11:06 am


skeezer Says:

Seems like the PM and Tiley are putting their chips on the table regarding their stance, all in. We’ll see. One thing is for sure, shenanigans are at play,
Just remember, if he was vaxxed none of this would have happened. And we are going to see more of this at most (vax required)Tennis Tournaments and/or countries, not less. Players are not going to routinely get medical exemptions…..(see your 10:18 post vid)

January 8th, 2022 at 11:13 am


Dave Says:

Skeezer,

I’m definitely not against people getting the vaccine. No doubt it’s already saved many lives. Just that it’s a personal decision for each person to decide what’s best for them according to their own unique circumstances.

I also am curious about something. Maybe I’m misreading this and will completely admit it if I’m wrong. Has Djokovic ever actually said that he’s against the vaccine? Because I don’t remember reading that once. But I keep reading from different media sources that he’s against the vaccine. If an individual who has natural immunity makes a personal choice not to get vaccinated, does that means he’s completely against the vaccine and he thinks no one should take it? Not at all. It means at this time for his personal circumstances he’s decided it’s not something he feels comfortable with. But it seems that peoples words get twisted and now if a person doesn’t personally feel comfortable taking the vaccine they are labelled by many as antivaxxers, even if they aren’t against others taking the vaccine. Again trying to get the facts of what his opinion has been about this topic, I never got the impression that he was against the vaccine itself for others that choose to get vaccinated. I just keep reading over and over that he’s against the vaccine. To be against the vaccine it means you don’t want anyone to get it and you will promote and try to influence people around you not to get it and why you shouldn’t get it. I just haven’t gotten that impression at all from anything I’ve read when Djokovic has talked about this. Again I’m trying to get the true facts. Not take sides. Just curious about this.

January 8th, 2022 at 11:27 am


Dave Says:

Skeezer,

That might be true. But to be honest, I have a hard time taking words seriously that come out of the words of Ben Rothenberg. He’s been making attacks on Djokovic for years and years any chance he gets. He definitely isn’t objective when it comes to most things related to Djokovic. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard him say anything nice about Djokovic.

January 8th, 2022 at 11:31 am


Dave Says:

I haven’t done a deep dive into which tournaments he will be able to play in yet. I know in Italy natural immunity from COVID is given the green light there. So Rome would be okay for him. And The French Open would also be okay for him to play. I’m really not sure about the other tournaments though.

January 8th, 2022 at 11:36 am


Dave Says:

Another thing that wouldn’t surprise me at all would be if Djokovic gets vaccinated in the future from one of the vaccines being developed that are supposedly from more natural sources. Maybe if he knew that these vaccines do get recognized in the future as being fully vaccinated and get added on the list, I could see him going down that road to make getting into tournaments much less stressful. Again it’s just a thought. But it definitely wouldn’t surprise me.

January 8th, 2022 at 11:43 am


skeezer Says:

Dave,
Thanks for the discussion. Gotta go now but this is an intriguing developing story, albeit probably not for Djoker.

January 8th, 2022 at 12:03 pm


Dave Says:

Alright Skeezer. No problem. Have a good day.

January 8th, 2022 at 12:08 pm


Okiegal Says:

Regarding the jab. I’m 76 with a heart problem, A-fib. I got two shots but not the booster. I still had antibodies. My son and daughter-in-law law are not vaccinated. She’s a dental hygienist and in peoples’s mouths all day, but is masked with a face shield and eye coverings. She got Covid a year ago last January. Spent 9 days in the hospital with a blood clot in the lung. She lost a ton of hair. Still didn’t get the shot….. her choice. About a month ago she had mega antibodies and got infected again with the Omicron variant, I have tested positive also. I have it now. It’s just like a super bad head cold. So what the scary thing for me regarding the shot is that my personal cardiologist refuses to get it. Said all that to say this, not all doctors on the planet are on the same page about this vaccination and that bothers me. I still believe a person has the right to choose, But when it comes to sports… choosing not to get jabbed does have consequences. I also thought Novak was infected over 6 months ago??? I have to applaud Australia for protecting their borders….. I wish Joe would take a better interest in the USA border. They are coming across the border in droves…..and you know that there is no telling how many are infected. Not to mention the illegal drugs that are being smuggled..,……..💔 and 😢……The shape our world is in, very disheartening.

January 8th, 2022 at 2:04 pm


Okiegal Says:

Question answered regarding Novak’s last Covid test…tested positive on December 16. That was kept quiet……

January 8th, 2022 at 3:15 pm


Wog Boy Says:

VP,
Thanks very much, I absolutely love it and flute is such an spiritual instrument, particularly playing the sounds of the Balkan, like this one which is the best ever flute player in Serbia or as we call it “FRULA”, Bora Dugić:

https://youtu.be/lOj1rmX6nDk

January 8th, 2022 at 5:30 pm


Wog Boy Says:

VP,
Try to close your eyes and listen this one, if you don’t know who is performing you would never know if it’s Romanian or Serbian but you would immediately know that is coming from Balkan hills and mountains, it’s just lifting your spirit, enjoy it:

https://youtu.be/8T3NytqNSXw

January 8th, 2022 at 5:49 pm

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