The legal battle waged by Novak Djokovic to be able to enter Australian territory and play the Australian Open there “has been detrimental on all fronts”, estimated the ATP in a statement Monday following the release of the Serbian. A judge revoked the cancellation of the Serbian player’s visa by the Australian authorities and ordered his release from the immigration detention center in which the star had been placed on his arrival in the country, without vaccination once morest Covid-19. Djokovic immediately trained for the first Grand Slam of the season.
Silent since the beginning of the affair between Novak Djokovic and the Australian authorities, the ATP regretted “the series of events” which caused such a stir around the situation of Novak Djokovic and “multiple damages, including the good -being and preparation for the Australian Open of Novak ”. She considers that this case “has highlighted the need for more clarity in the communication and application of the rules”.
The international body considers that the Serb was in good faith in presenting his medical exemption allowing him to enter the territory without being vaccinated but the ATP specifies that his “requests for exemption are made independently of the ATP even if we have been in constant contact with Tennis Australia to bring as much clarity as possible to the process ”.
“The ATP fully respects the sacrifices that the Australian people have made since the start of Covid-19 and the strict immigration policies that have been put in place,” assured the instance. Meanwhile, ATP “continues to strongly recommend vaccination” for all players on the tour and claims that 97% of the top 100 players are, which excludes Djokovic and two other players who are not currently in Australia.
